After handing in a transfer request at Manchester United, JJ Gabriel has become the hottest prospect in the transfer market right now.

The young 15-year-old forward has been courted by almost every major club across Europe, including Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Recent reports have indicated that JJ Gabriel could prefer a move to Spain , which could pit Barcelona and Real Madrid in a tug of war.

According to SPORT , Deco has intensified his contacts with Gabriel’s representatives in recent days, in a bid to get ahead in the race.

Deco is keen on signing JJ Gabriel. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

The teenager and his family were in Barcelona last week , while the sporting director is understood to have met with agent Ali Barat on Saturday.

Barcelona are determined to land Gabriel, offering him a clear sporting project that could see him break into the first team relatively quickly.

The Catalans believe their playing style is perfectly suited to a player renowned for his exquisite ball control and command of situations near the opposition box.