Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel turns 16 on Tuesday, which frees him to sign for a European club at minimal compensation after he asked for his Old Trafford registration to be torn up last month.

The England Under-17 international has an Irish passport, so he can join a club in the EU immediately, subject to FIFA approval. Experts see approval as a formality. United would receive only FIFA training compensation of about 200,000 to 300,000 pounds, far below the domestic valuation for a Premier League move.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are leading the race, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also keen. Barcelona sporting director Deco has publicly distanced the club from the speculation, saying they are not involved.

Gabriel, who passed through the academies at Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham before joining United in 2022, has not trained with United since demanding an exit. Chelsea remain an option only after the season ends.

Gabriel was in United’s official team photo taken on September 8, two days before he failed to make the senior squad. A week later he asked to leave. The club’s hierarchy has been trying to convince him to stay.