JJ Gabriel verbally agrees to join Real Madrid

Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel has verbally agreed to join Real Madrid, but the 16-year-old remains registered with United and no transfer deal has been signed, according to reports. The clubs have not held talks, leaving the move incomplete as Gabriel trains in Spain.

After a training session on Friday, Gabriel spoke to Spanish newspaper Marca and said his ambition was to win the Ballon d’Or. The remark was reported by multiple accounts, all tracing it to that interview. Gabriel was shown a newspaper front page featuring his expected move to Real Madrid.

Gabriel has not returned to United since asking to leave in September. He is training individually in Spain and remains on the Manchester club’s registration. A report attributed to BBC Sport sources said Real Madrid had reached a verbal agreement with Gabriel and his representatives, but had not contacted United or begun club-to-club negotiations.

Real Madrid are reported to hope to complete the move in January, with Gabriel expected to develop at Castilla, the club’s reserve side. Another account said an announcement may wait until January, when the club could register him in the transfer window. Neither club has...