Man Utd fear losing record-breaking wonderkid to Chelsea as approach planned

13 Aug 2026 18:01 BST | 3 min read

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea, Michael Carrick, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

Make us your Google favourite

Manchester United are concerned that they could lose JJ Gabriel to Chelsea and are working on a deal to try and secure the future of their brightest wonderkid.

Article continues under the video

Gabriel has been touted as one of the highest-rated youngsters to ever come out of United’s academy and the 15-year-old has already been training with the first team on a regular basis.

United have given him an even bigger role during pre-season, with Gabriel becoming the youngest ever player to ever represent the club during the friendly against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

Gabriel is eligible to sign scholarship terms when he turns 16 in October and United are hoping to go a step further by putting a pre-contract in place for professional terms that can be penned when he turns 17.

However, Gabriel is regarded as one of the biggest talents of his age in world football, which has attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and, most aggressively, Chelsea.

TEAMtalk claim that Chelsea are Gabriel’s strongest suitors and, with the forward able to be poached until he turns professional, United are desperate to ensure that they do everything possible to keep the youngster at Old Trafford.

JJ Gabriel: Man Utd confident of deterring global interest in record-breaking wonderkid

Gabriel attracted attention in early 2025 when he became the youngest player to feature for United’s under-18 side aged 14 and he went on to win the Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season award last year.

© IMAGO - JJ Gabriel has been starring for Man Utd at youth level.

United are aware of the interest in Gabriel but they are said to be confident in keeping hold of the London-born teenager, whom they have had on their books since he was 12.

The Red Devils believe that Gabriel is committed to continuing his development in Manchester despite interest from virtually every major club in England and across Europe.

Gabriel’s future is expected to intensify once he is eligible to sign scholarship terms in October but United believe that their pathway, which has already seen the England under-17 star rapidly progress up the ranks, will give the player confidence to continue his development at the club.

United have handed Gabriel the number 77 shirt and he could even feature for Michael Carrick’s side this season, following in the footsteps of Max Dowman at Arsenal, who has also become a first team player at the age of 15.