Arsenal are aware of Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel, but the youngster’s current club are desperate to hang onto him.
Isaan Khan reports for the Daily Mail that suggestions of Arsenal having a concrete interest in Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel are premature, but the Gunners are at least aware of the teenager.
Various rumours on social media earlier this year suggested that Arsenal were circling for Gabriel, with the player potentially available for a summer transfer.
In the end, the 15-year-old committed his short-term future to Manchester United, but he won’t be eligible for a professional contract until October 2027. That leaves two more years of speculation that another club could swoop and sign him first.
Manchester United are desperate to avoid that scenario, with reports suggesting they’ve even offered Gabriel a box at the new Old Trafford.
The youngster is certainly making an impression with the United u18s, scoring 10 goals and providing one assist in his first nine appearances in the u18 Premier League.
That would be a strong record for an established u18 player, but for a 15-year-old making the step up it’s even better.
Of course, Arsenal’s Max Dowman is playing first-team football at 15, dropping down to the u21s at most. But Dowman is 10 months older than Gabriel, so there’s still time to catch up.
If Gabriel continues his current trajectory at United, it’s likely there will be plenty of competing offers for his signature in 2027. Arsenal may well be seriously among the suitors by then.