My dream is to win Ballon d'Or - Gabriel

Gabriel played against Atletico Madrid on Manchester United’s pre-season tour

Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel says his “dream is to win the Ballon d’Or”, as he closes in on a move to Real Madrid.

The 16-year-old is still registered at United but has been training on his own in Spain after walking out on the club and relocating with his family.

He has subsequently reached a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid but no deal has been signed as yet.

On Friday, following one of his sessions, the teenager was approached by Spanish news outlet Marca who presented him with a copy of their newspaper, which featured a front-page story about his expected move to Los Blancos.

The newspaper reported he told them in English: “My dream is to win a Ballon d’Or.”

United would be due compensation should Gabriel leave, although the figure will be lower if he signs for a club outside the Premier League.

Though no club-to-club talks have been held, sources have told BBC Sport that Real have verbally agreed a deal with Gabriel and his representatives.

Despite United having Gabriel’s registration domestically, it is not thought it could prevent the youngster joining a club overseas as he now has a European Union passport through his mother, who has Cypriot origin.

While Real and United are both in the Uefa Youth League this season, competition rules prevent players from appearing for more than one club in a single season and Gabriel scored a hat-trick in his final appearance for United against Sabah in September.

He was named the Premier League’s Under-18 player of the season last term, despite being only 14 when the season began.

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