'The whole family will move as well' - Expert reacts to JJ Gabriel's next club after Man United exit
Super agent Ali Barat does not have JJ Gabriel's interests at the heart of the ongoing talks that will likely see the talent leave Manchester United.
That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 15-year-old is reportedly in talks with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid as he looks to secure a move away from Old Trafford.
Barat, owner of Epic Sports Football, is said to be acting as an intermediary between the parties and will be considered the frontrunner to formally represent Gabriel when he turns 16.
The midfielder has been with Man United for four years and had looked likely to leave in 2025, before agreeing terms on a two-year extension.
Yet Gabriel and his family have reportedly been left frustrated by his lack of opportunities in Michael Carrick's team, with an exit now appearing inevitable.
Ali Barat is 'moving families around'
There is no doubting Gabriel's talent. The youngster was awarded Under-18 Premier League player of the season after scoring 23 goals in 23 games.
And he is already thriving at the U21 level this season, also scoring a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut.
"If Barat is going to be taking him to Real Madrid, Barcelona - I saw Bayern Munich was mentioned - then that's going to affect the whole family. Then the whole family will move as well," King told Football Insider.
"Nothing today surprises me in football. Nothing at all. It's all about money. Is this agent doing all this kind work because he likes the family? No, because he sees the potential of earning a lot of money. He's an agent, so rightly so.
"Funnily enough, I met Tore Pedersen yesterday, the former Blackburn player. Tore's been an agent for a long, long time. I feel he's the type of guy who has players' interest foremost.
"He doesn't do it for free, and rightly so, and nor does this fella. But when you start moving families around from a great football club, I know they're not exactly pulling up straws at the moment, Manchester United.
"But to be brought into a situation like this with a 15-year-old boy, already negotiations are starting about him moving from the football club. And really, there should be no agent involved here until the kid's 16 at least.
"He's 16 on October the 6th, so it's coming around pretty sharpish, then the race will be on."
Wayne Rooney gives Gabriel insight
Speaking this week, Wayne Rooney shared what he has heard about the ongoing situation.
"In fairness to Manchester United, they’ve done everything, they’ve done absolutely everything to keep him at the club," he explained.
"I think it’s been known and there’s been a desire to go and play probably in Spain, I think. I might be wrong but this is what you’ve heard over the years.
"The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special talent and I know, I recognise, I understand that because I was that player at Everton.
"I was getting that treatment at Everton where you’re getting a bit more, parents get given stuff, you get that special treatment more than the other players are getting which, as a club, you need to do to try and keep these better players.
"It’s just disappointing, of course, because he’s such a top player and he’s a lovely kid so yeah, you never know whether it’s gone too far and whether there is a chance for him to stay. But I think everyone close to it has probably known that was going to come.”