Gabriel flies in for transfer talks with Barcelona after Man Utd quit bombshell

Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel has reportedly arrived in Barcelona for talks. It comes just days after he stunned Old Trafford chiefs with his request to have his registration with the club cancelled, something United have rejected.

The academy star could have been in line for his first-team debut at United on Wednesday night. The Red Devils had planned to include Gabriel in their squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round. It would have made the 15-year-old United’s youngest-ever first-team player.

But that did not happen after his stunning request was made earlier this week. Concern grew over Gabriel after he deleted all pictures on his Instagram profile last week. The unusual behaviour came without any explanation, but his desire to leave may offer one.

Now, Barcelona are set for talks over a potential deal. Fellow European giants Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also interested.

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Gabriel's camp submitted a formal request for United to deregister him this week, but it was denied. The club are still trying to convince him to stay at the club.

However, that looks increasingly unlikely now that Gabriel and his entourage are in Spain. The player could hold talks with Real as well as Barca over a transfer next month.

Although United have Gabriel under contract until the end of this season, there is a precedent for him to move abroad after he turns 16 on October 6 if he holds an EU passport, exploiting a FIFA loophole to sign for the La Liga giants.

He could qualify for that through his father's Irish connections or his mother's Cypriot background and reports in Spain suggest he will obtain the relevant documentation to complete a move next week.

United could then be powerless to prevent it, although any move would still require FIFA approval. United can offer scholarship terms to Gabriel from his 16th birthday and although he now appears certain to leave, doing so should ensure they receive modest compensation.

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Red Devils head coach Michael Carrick was asked for an update on the situation at his press conference after the dismal Brighton defeat on Wednesday night.

The 45-year-old said: "I just think we've got to be really careful of the whole situation, you know.

"He's a young boy, he's 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, is looking after our younger players, their welfare, their well-being, their exposure, and I think we've got to be really, all of us, I think we've got to be really conscious of that, really, in this situation."