Real Madrid are edging closer to winning the race to sign Manchester United's JJ Gabriel, beating European giants including Barcelona, sources told ESPN.

Madrid believed they were in a favourable position from the beginning of the pursuit, and in the last few hours their optimism has grown.

Gabriel, 16, had been training in Barcelona for weeks with a personal trainer waiting to resolve his future but is now in Madrid.

ESPN reported in September that Gabriel and his representatives had asked to leave United. The Premier League side insisted at the time that they were not going to facilitate his departure but ESPN reported that Madrid, Barcelona and other major clubs were attentive to the situation.

Sources have told ESPN that United believe representatives of Gabriel held at least one meeting with an unnamed club last summer without their knowledge.

United, according to sources, will consider legal action if they believe illegal approaches have been made when Gabriel was under contract at Old Trafford.

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Madrid intensified their negotiations when the player turned 16 on Oct. 6 and now everything is on track for Gabriel to sign with the club, sources told ESPN. Madrid's idea is that he will join their second team, Castilla, who play in the division of Spanish football, but he would also play in the UEFA Youth League.

Additional reporting from ESPN's Rob Dawson.