Manchester United have presented teenage forward JJ Gabriel with an official scholarship contract offer. However, the club faces the risk of losing the prodigy for as little as £350,000.
Gabriel, who celebrated his 16th birthday this week, reportedly stunned the club last month by requesting his registration be cancelled. This move has sparked a scramble among Europe's elite clubs for his signature.
Despite the new offer, it appears unlikely that Gabriel will remain at Old Trafford. While a move to another Premier League club would involve a negotiated fee or a Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal, a transfer to a European club could see United receive significantly less compensation.
According to official Fifa compensation figures for a Category I academy, Manchester United would receive approximately £350,000 if Gabriel moves abroad. Real Madrid are considered favourites to sign him, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain also monitoring the situation.