Manchester United are considering legal action if JJ Gabriel leaves the club this month, according to the Sun.
Gabriel asked the Red Devils to deregister him last month. However, Man United refused his request and are hoping to convince him to stay.
The teenage sensation turns 16 on October 6, and could leave the club if he has an Irish or Cypriot passport.
The Red Devils have weighed up taking regulatory and legal action against anyone who may broker his departure.
Agent Ali Barat received authorisation from the Football Association (FA) last month to represent players unable to sign professional deals.
Barat is working on securing a move elsewhere for Gabriel. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on the youngster.
Gabriel is currently in a training camp in Barcelona, having refused to return to the Red Devils’ training complex since September 10.
He bagged a hat-trick for Man United’s under-19s in the UEFA Youth League that night. It could be his last game for them.
United could receive around £300,000 in training compensation if Gabriel moves on.
They only have themselves to blame, as years of poor choices since Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit in 2013 have left them in this position.
Gabriel and his family are un convinced that the Red Devils are still heavyweights in England and Europe.
He wants to play for a club where regularly challenging for league titles and Champions League trophies is guaranteed.
