Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Manchester United’s highly-rated teenage forward JJ Gabriel, who has reportedly walked away from Old Trafford to force a move abroad.

The 16-year-old wonderkid has not returned to United since September, opting instead to train individually in Spain while exploring pathways into senior football. Gabriel was on the verge of becoming Manchester United’s youngest-ever first-team debutant ahead of a Carabao Cup fixture against Brighton in September, but chose to pursue opportunities elsewhere before the match.

While European giants Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring his situation, Real Madrid have emerged as the frontrunners for his signature. The transfer process is expected to be simplified as Gabriel has acquired a European Union passport, reducing the typical bureaucratic hurdles of a move to Spain.

Should he finalize a move outside of England, Manchester United will be entitled to training compensation, though the financial return will be significantly lower than if he transferred to a rival Premier League club

Gabriel’s departure would represent a massive loss for United’s academy. He was named the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Season last term despite playing the majority of the campaign at just 14 years old. Senior club figures, including former interim manager Darren Fletcher, have previously lauded his immense potential, with academy sources labeling him “the best 15-year-old in Europe” earlier this year.