My dream is to win Ballon d'Or - Gabriel

What the report says

Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel, aged 16, has spoken of his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or while he edges closer to a move to Real Madrid, according to BBC Sport. The report says Gabriel is still registered with United but has been training alone in Spain after leaving the club and moving with his family.

BBC Sport says the teenager has reached a verbal agreement with Real Madrid, although no transfer has been signed yet. The article adds that no club-to-club negotiations have taken place, but sources told BBC Sport that Madrid have verbally agreed terms with Gabriel and his representatives. Because he is under contract status with United, compensation would be owed if he leaves, though the amount would be lower if he joins a club outside the Premier League.

The story also notes that Gabriel has obtained a European Union passport, which may make a move abroad easier. He is regarded as one of United’s promising youth players, having scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut and been named the Premier League Under-18 player of the season, despite being only 14 when that campaign began.

For context, BBC Sport reported that the comments about the Ballon d’Or came after Gabriel was shown a front-page story in the Spanish newspaper Marca about his expected transfer to Real Madrid.