Barcelona chief Deco douses JJ Gabriel rumours as £300,000 fee looms

£300,000 is the fee Manchester United risk losing if 15‑year‑old JJ Gabriel departs, a figure that has surfaced as Barcelona chief Deco douses the links surrounding the teenager. The sporting director, speaking to Ben Jacobs and Lee Wilmot at the Portugal Football Summit, said his club is not pursuing the Red Devils’ prodigy.

European clubs circle teenage prodigy

The Catalans are listed among a number of high‑profile European clubs linked with signing the 15‑year‑old after he made it clear he wants to leave the Old Trafford outfit. Here GIVEMESPORT can reveal that interest also comes from Premier League rivals, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Show the facts, and you’ll see a growing list that includes the La Liga champions, who have already been photographed with Lamine Yamal.

Gabriel was pictured in Barcelona alongside Lamine Yamal, holding a Barca shirt bearing the teenager’s name and number on the back. Give a lighthearted recap of the scene, and the image suggests talks are underway with the Spanish giants. I’m told the reports come from sources close to the club, though no official comment has been issued.

Deco puts rumours to rest

When GMS senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs asked Deco about the saga, the Barcelona chief was quick to shut down speculation. He said there is nothing to say about the boy and that it is normal for players to be linked with the club.

"No, there is nothing to say about this boy. It's normal that players are linked with us, there are huge markets involved with that even when they are young. We are not interested in any player in his situation. I'm not sure what's happening, I don't know, he's still a Man United player, we're not involved in that, we need to understand all the situations before we try to do something and speak about young, teenage players that are not our business."

His remarks underline Barcelona’s policy on teenage transfers and confirm that the club is not planning any move. Down the line, the club risks losing him for just £300,000.

Gabriel told United officials he wants his registration cancelled and has since stopped training with the Red Devils. He turns 16 at the start of October, this year, and could leave then if United terminate his registration, his dual‑owned Irish passport allowing a move to Europe without issues.

He has been playing in the Premier League U18 league since age 14, scoring 23 goals last season. Gabriel was integral to United’s side that reached both the U18 Cup final and the FA Youth Cup final, later being named Premier League U18 Player of the Year and United’s U18 Player of the Year.