Deco: Barcelona not interested in Man United's JJ Gabriel

Barcelona sporting director Deco has said the club are not interested in Manchester United's JJ Gabriel, the 15-year-old who asked to leave Old Trafford last week.

"We are not interested in any player in his situation," Deco told journalist Ben Jacobs. "I am not sure what's happening, and if he's still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in that." He called links with young players normal, saying "there's a huge market for that, even when they are young", and added that "to speak about young, teenage players, it is not our business."

Reports in Spain had said Gabriel and his representatives travelled to Madrid and Barcelona, and that he had reached a "first major agreement" with one of the two clubs. Real Madrid were named alongside Barcelona as the interested parties. Deco's comments do not address Real Madrid.

Gabriel turns 16 on 6 October. United cannot offer him a scholarship contract before then, but would be due compensation if he signed elsewhere. From that date he can also be legally represented by an agent and, using his Irish passport, sign for a club abroad. He was reportedly due to make his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton, but was left out of the squad after his request.

Steven Gerrard, speaking to TNT Sports, backed United's handling of the player. "I don't see the rush, I don't see the panic," he said, adding that "from the outside this stinks to me that someone is pushing, forcing and rushing it."

With fewer than two weeks to his birthday, this may mean the question is decided by which club is prepared to deal once he can sign, and by how much United would be owed. Deco's answer covers only Barcelona's position today.