Real Madrid reach verbal agreement to sign Gabriel

Real Madrid are confident they can win the race to sign Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel after reaching a verbal agreement with the teenager.

The 16-year-old is registered at United but hasn't returned to the club since walking out in September.

Gabriel, who played against Atletico Madrid on United's pre-season tour, had been expected to become the club's youngest debutant in September's Carabao Cup tie against Brighton.

However, he has opted to look elsewhere for senior football and has been training on his own in Spain.

His availability alerted clubs around Europe, including Barcelona and Paris St-Germain, but Real now expect to sign the youngster in January.

Although no club-to-club talks have taken place, sources have told BBC Sport that Real have verbally agreed a deal with Gabriel and his representatives.

Gabriel, who scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut, has secured a European Union passport, which is expected to make it easier for him to sign for a club outside England.

United would be due compensation if Gabriel leaves, though the figure would be lower if he signs for a club outside the Premier League.

He was named the Premier League's Under-18 player of the season last term, despite being only 14 when the season campaign.A United source described Gabriel as

"The best 15-year-old in Europe" this year, while former interim manager Darren Fletcher said, "The world is his oyster."

Speaking after the EFL Cup defeat by Brighton, United head coach Michael Carrick said: "We've got to be really careful of the whole situation.

"He's a young boy...from a club point of view, looking after our younger players - their welfare, their well-being, their exposure - we've got to be really conscious of that in this situation."