Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel has said winning the Ballon d’Or is his ambition, with the 16-year-old moving closer to a transfer to Real Madrid.
Gabriel remains registered with United but has been training alone in Spain after leaving the club and moving abroad with his family.
The teenager has reached a verbal agreement with Real Madrid, although no formal deal has been signed. No club-to-club negotiations have taken place, but BBC Sport sources say Real have verbally agreed terms with Gabriel and his representatives.
On Friday, after one of his training sessions, Spanish outlet Marca approached Gabriel and showed him a copy of its newspaper featuring a front-page report about his expected move to Los Blancos. Marca reported that he told them in English: “My dream is to win a Ballon d’Or.”
United would be entitled to compensation if Gabriel leaves, though the amount would be lower if he joins a club outside the Premier League.
Gabriel scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut and has obtained a European Union passport, which is expected to make a move outside England easier. He was named the Premier League’s Under-18 player of the season last term, despite being only 14 when the campaign began.
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