Report: 16-year-old Real Madrid target wants Barcelona move ‘at all costs’

One of the biggest transfer sagas doing the rounds in Europe in recent weeks is the uncertain future of JJ Gabriel.

The Manchester United wonderkid has expressed his desire to leave the club, and European giants have set their sights on signing him.

Now, Los Blancos could face a significant obstacle in their pursuit of the 16-year-old England starlet.

According to Diario SPORT journalist Jaume Marcet , the highly rated teenager is prioritising a move to Barcelona despite interest from elsewhere.

Gabriel wants to play for Barcelona "at all costs." He celebrated his 16th birthday just a day ago and is keen to continue his career elsewhere.

The development comes shortly after Madrid were said to be among the clubs making the strongest push for Gabriel.

Madrid and Barcelona were both very concrete in their interest, with the Spanish giants prepared to offer substantial packages involving salary, bonuses and a signing-on fee.

JJ Gabriel has asked to leave Manchester United. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Bayern Munich have also remained in the race, while PSG have been monitoring the situation in case the opportunity presents itself.

Gabriel is also expected to receive a Cypriot passport, a development that could potentially make a move to Spain easier.

A free transfer in January has been mentioned as the plan if the necessary conditions are met. However, this Barça development could change Madrid's stance.

Financial terms are one thing, but convincing a youngster whose preferred destination is reportedly Barcelona presents a different challenge.

Losing an elite prospect to Barcelona would naturally sting, particularly when Madrid have invested considerable effort in trying to sign him.

JJ Gabriel is shopping for a new club in the market. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

However, this is also where Madrid need to trust what they have built. La Fabrica is producing talent, and the club continues to identify elite youngsters across Europe.

Gabriel, for all his talent, is just getting started in his career, and there is no guarantee about how and where his development will take him.

Madrid should only try to sign players who are 100 percent committed to the club's cause, and if Gabriel is having second thoughts, Los Blancos should refrain from making a move.

It remains to be seen what the 16-year-old decides for his future and where he moves next to continue his development.