According to reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano , Real Madrid are currently leading the race to sign Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel, who is also a target for FC Barcelona.

The 16-year-old attacking midfielder is set to bid goodbye to the Premier League heavyweights, having even stopped training with their youth team since last month.

A number of top clubs across Europe have shown an interest in the young prodigy, with Barcelona and Real Madrid among them.

While there is interest from other big teams like Bayern Munich and PSG as well, Gabriel is understood to prefer a move to Spain, putting the El Clasico rivals at the forefront of the transfer race.

Even though some reports earlier this week suggested that Barcelona were Gabriel’s preferred destination when he leaves Manchester United, it seems that he might be headed to the Spanish capital.

Barcelona to miss out on Gabriel? (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Indeed, Romano claims that, as things stand, Real Madrid have taken a lead over Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG in the race to sign the 16-year-old English gem.

As per the transfer expert, the Merengues have been in contact with Gabriel’s representatives over a contract proposal.

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Real Madrid march ahead of Barcelona in race for wantaway Manchester United starlet – Romano" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Transfer Wire metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

Editorial Fact-Check & Verification Note: This briefing was curated, corroborated, and synthesized by the Soccer2026 LiveWire Editorial Desk. Readers following "Real Madrid march ahead of Barcelona in race for wantaway Manchester United starlet – Romano" are encouraged to review the full primary source coverage linked below for complete historical context, direct quotes, and official statements.