The saga surrounding 16-year-old JJ Gabriel has been a bizarre one for Manchester United.

Since he asked to leave the club in September, debate around which club would secure the exciting prospect’s services has been thick and fast.

From Paris Saint-Germain to Bayern Munich and Barcelona, every huge European side has been tipped to have interest.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have been a frontrunner from the start.

The club, now coached by former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, looks to recruit the world’s best players and consistently build an elite side.

According to a new update from Spanish outlet SPORT, there are new developments in the race for Gabriel’s signature.

The publication reveals that the saga is coming to an end around JJ Gabriel. The young footballer “appreciates” PSG’s proposal but believes that the best way to continue his footballing evolution is “not to leave the Premier League to join French football.”

“JJ Gabriel has not only said no to PSG’s latest offer but has also reiterated that his desire is to play in Spanish football,” SPORT reveal.

After Barcelona pulled out of the fight to sign the exciting prospect, and with PSG now out of the game – “as long as there are no radical last-minute changes, it can now be assured that JJ Gabriel will wear white in the immediate future”.

It’s an unsurprising verdict given Real Madrid’s leading role in proceedings around JJ Gabriel from the start.

Manchester United are going to lose a player who has been tipped to become one of the world’s best one day, but have ultimately lost out to the world’s biggest football club, even with their huge stature.

Seeing JJ Gabriel in a Real Madrid shirt always felt like the likely outcome, and could soon come to fruition.

As SPORT say, “All roads lead to the Santiago Bernabeu, although final confirmation is still missing.”