United now closing in on agreement with 17-yo academy winger over first professional contract

Manchester United is nearing a deal to secure the services of 17-year-old academy winger JJ Gabriel. The young talent has sent a letter of registration to his camp, indicating his desire to leave the club. Despite the fact that high-profile clubs such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are reportedly in pursuit of Gabriel, United remains committed to keeping him on board. However, the option of a resolution remains open as Gabriel will become eligible for a professional contract once he turns 16.

In parallel, Manchester United is making significant strides in securing another promising player, 17-year-old Noah Ajayi. The academy standout is currently in advanced talks with the club over his first professional contract. Reports suggest that an agreement is imminent, and all parties expect the negotiations to conclude successfully. Previous speculations hinted at the possibility of Ajayi returning to Germany, but these reports suggest the likelihood of him signing with United instead.

Ajayi's impressive performances for Manchester United's Under-18s have caught the attention of the club's management. Over the past year, he has scored 10 goals and provided one assist in 25 appearances. The club anticipates that he will have more opportunities to train with the first-team squad under the guidance of Michael Carrick. Should Gabriel refuse to sign with the club, the club might find itself with an opportunity to promote Ajayi to the first team at an earlier stage than initially anticipated.