According to reports by TEAMtalk on Wednesday November 4, 2026, Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel has travelled to Spain several times in recent weeks as Real Madrid continue to make progress in their pursuit of the highly rated teenager.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided a fresh update on the 16-year-old's future, revealing that the Spanish giants remain the clear favourites to secure his signature ahead of the January transfer window.

Gabriel's situation at Old Trafford has attracted significant attention after the youngster and his family reportedly informed Manchester United in September that they wanted his contract terminated.

The request followed disagreements over his development and opportunities to feature in the first team. United, however, have made several attempts to convince him to remain at the club by presenting different scholarship proposals.

Those efforts have so far failed to change the player's position, with his representatives continuing to explore opportunities at some of Europe's biggest clubs.

According to Romano, Paris Saint-Germain have decided not to advance their pursuit, while Bayern Munich have also spoken with Gabriel's representatives without making further progress.

Barcelona are understood to have different priorities, leaving Real Madrid in a stronger position to complete the move.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Gabriel had spent several days in Madrid during recent weeks.

“The boy has been in Madrid for several days over recent weeks. He is training very hard to get ready for January, when he will be able to join a new club,” Romano explained.

The journalist added that Real Madrid are now significantly ahead of their competitors, although he stressed that an agreement has not yet been completed.

“Real Madrid remain very clear favourites to sign JJ Gabriel,” he stated, adding that the expectation among those involved is for the teenager to join the Spanish club.

Romano also discussed Real Madrid's desire to maintain a positive relationship with Manchester United throughout the negotiations.

He compared the situation with the club's previous handling of Trent Alexander-Arnold's move from Liverpool. Madrid want to ensure that any agreement involving Gabriel is handled transparently rather than creating unnecessary problems between the clubs.

However, Romano stressed that Gabriel's situation is different from Alexander-Arnold's because the youngster is still at the beginning of his career. The transfer expert also made it clear that the move remains unfinished, despite Madrid's strong position in the race.