Real Madrid keen on Man Utd forward Gabriel, 15

JJ Gabriel has told Manchester United he wants to leave.

Real Madrid are among the clubs trying to sign Manchester United academy player JJ Gabriel.

Earlier this week, the 15-year-old sent United formal notice he wants to cancel his registration with immediate effect, but the club can challenge the request.

It is understood a number of major teams across Europe, including Barcelona, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich, have a firm interest in the forward, but multiple sources have described Real’s efforts to sign him as strong.

The Spanish side want to recruit the teenager immediately and position him in Real Madrid Castilla - the club’s recognised reserve team.

Unlike in England, Castilla play in senior football and are in the regionalised third league of the Spanish system. Last season, they were coached by Alvaro Arbeloa, who then took over the senior Real side following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal and has since moved to Fulham.

Thiago Pitarch, who was 18 at the start of last season, played for Castilla in a Premier League International Cup encounter against Southampton in October, and made 16 senior appearances across the campaign.

Sources close to Gabriel, who turns 16 on 6 October, feel let down by United, arguing promises around the pathway to the first team have not been kept.

The club say it was anticipated Gabriel would become their youngest senior player by playing in Wednesday night’s EFL Cup tie with Brighton. Given they lost 3-2 after leading 2-0, it is debatable whether that would have actually happened.

United have not given up hope of keeping Gabriel, though they are unsure precisely why he wants to leave.

It is understood the player is not currently training with the club.

Speaking after the Brighton game, head coach Michael Carrick, who gave the youngster his senior debut during the pre-season match with Atletico Madrid in Stockholm said everyone needed to be mindful of Gabriel’s age.

“I just think we’ve got to be really careful of the whole situation,” he said.

“He’s a young boy. He’s 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players - their welfare, their well-being, their exposure - we’ve got to be really conscious of that in this situation.”

Sources close to Gabriel have dismissed concerns over the player’s age and physicality and feel the likes of Max Dowman, who made his debut for Arsenal at the age of 15 last season, show a willingness to trust youth in a way they do not see at United.

Chelsea are also believed to have a major interest in the teenager.

Any imminent move away from Old Trafford for Gabriel is complicated because of rules regarding the registration of young players.

United say Gabriel’s registration runs to the end of the season. It would be easier for him to leave United then, when he will be 16.

However, as Gabriel has an EU passport, it is possible he will be allowed to join a club within European Union borders on his 16th birthday.

Boreham Wood sign Solihull forward Wilkinson

Boreham Wood have signed experienced striker Conor Wilkinson from Solihull Moors on a short-term loan deal until mid-December.

The 31-year-old has played for numerous EFL clubs including Walsall, Leyton Orient and Gillingham.

He arrives after two seasons in the National League with Solihull Moors finishing as top-scorer with 13 league goals in 2024-2025, and a further nine goals in 25 league appearances last season.

Mbappe says he 'stands with Ceuta' after T-shirt row

Real Madrid have won six out of seven matches in all competitions this season

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe says he stands “in full solidarity with Ceuta” after choosing to obscure a message of support for people who live in the Spanish enclave.

Real players wore T-shirts carrying the message ‘Todos somos Caballas’ - ‘We are all Caballas’ - before Tuesday’s match against Elche.

Caballas is a nickname for the people of Ceuta - a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.

More than 100 people died when tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in July.

Mbappe - along with team-mates Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate - rolled up their shirts to partially cover up the message.

“I want to explain this clearly so people understand,” the France international said.

“It was the clubs’ decision to include the T-shirt and to have us wear it. We players had to wear it.

“The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims. Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being.

“But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh condition.”

Mbappe acknowledged his gesture could be misunderstood.

“It wasn’t an easy position to take,” he said. “It was difficult because, in the end, people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta. But no, absolutely not.

“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.

“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.

“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”

This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.

The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, after at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July.

Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.

Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest there.

Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.

Tuesday’s pre-match gesture to show support for the territory also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.

Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, though players at other La Liga fixtures wore the shirts as intended.

Mbappe, Vini and Konate obscure Real Madrid's Ceuta message

Real Madrid have won six out of seven matches in all competitions this season

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their pre-game T-shirts before Real Madrid’s match at Elche on Tuesday to obscure the message of support for the people of Ceuta.

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.

Players from both sides walked on to the pitch at Elche’s ground, Martinez Valero, wearing white T-shirts carrying the message “Todos somos caballas” – translated as “We are all Ceutans” - along with references to the Spanish autonomous city.

While most of the players wore the shirts fully, Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate had theirs rolled up to around chest height, obscuring some of the slogan.

Mbappe and Vinicius then removed their shirts before the pre-match handshake, while Konate kept his on for longer. Their team-mates and the Elche players continued to wear the shirts through the pre-match formalities.

The trio’s actions sparked criticism from La Liga president Javier Tebas, who told reporters: “We saw three players decide not to wear it - putting it half on is the same as not wearing it… bad, bad.”

Tebas confirmed the initiative, which came from a group of entrepreneurs from the Valencia region, had been approved by La Liga and was “not a political act of any type”.

This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.

The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, following a major migration crisis in the Spanish territory after thousands of people entered from Morocco.

At least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.

Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest in the autonomous Spanish city in North Africa.

Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.

The representatives of the players have been asked for comment.

The episode came shortly before a dramatic night for Real Madrid, who recovered from surrendering a two-goal lead to beat Elche 3-2, with Carlos Espi scoring the winner in stoppage time.

Mbappe was among Madrid’s scorers, while Vinicius started the game.

The pre-match gesture also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.

Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, while players at other La Liga fixtures had worn the shirts as intended.

What's gone wrong for Chelsea talent Kendry Paez?

Attacking midfielder Kendry Paez has finally pulled on a Chelsea shirt, three years after agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge - albeit for the club’s Under-21s.

Chelsea agreed a £17.27m deal to sign Paez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in 2023 when he was 16, but his development has not progressed as quickly as many expected.

Now 19, Paez made his first appearance in Chelsea colours for Cobham Next Gen, the club’s newly-renamed Under-21 side, as a 12th-minute substitute in a 4-1 win away to Arsenal on Saturday.

It comes after new manager Xabi Alonso said the midfielder was “not in my plans” and Chelsea listed him as an academy player on the club website.

Chelsea explored the possibility of a loan move in English football, but Fifa regulations left the club unable to send him overseas after using all six of their available international loan slots.

With 27 caps for Ecuador, an appearance at this summer’s World Cup and a reputation as one of South America’s brightest young talents alongside Blues team-mate Estevao Willian, what has happened to Paez?

Paez is a record breaker and a headline maker.

He became the youngest debutant and goalscorer in Ecuadorian top-flight history at the age of 15 before making his debut in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, later that same season.

Later in 2023, aged 16 years and 131 days, he made his second appearance for Ecuador, becoming the second-youngest South American international to feature in World Cup qualifying after Diego Maradona.

A month later, he became the youngest South American to score in a World Cup qualifier in a 2-1 win away to Bolivia.

It was understandable, therefore, that Chelsea believed the attacker, who had two international goals and 18 caps when they agreed to sign him, was destined for big things.

Chelsea allowed him to train regularly with the first team before he was officially eligible to join the club following his 18th birthday.

They also provided security for Paez, his family and the family of international team-mate Moises Caicedo after violence broke out in Ecuador in early 2024.

A few months later, Paez was filmed in a New York strip club while away on international duty.

He initially impressed on loan at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg by winning September’s Young Player of the Month award in the French top flight, but then came in for criticism from then-manager Liam Rosenior.

“We expect more, clearly,” Rosenior said later that season. “I’m tired of using the excuse of the player’s youth.”

Despite Strasbourg’s links to Chelsea through their shared ownership, the loan was cut short after one goal in 21 appearances. Instead, he joined Argentine giants River Plate on a two-year loan spell.

Sources in Argentina expressed similar concerns about his attitude when asked by BBC Sport. They point to a disappointing display in the 1-0 Superclasico defeat by fierce rivals Boca Juniors at the Monumental in April.

Shortly afterwards, Paez was named by club president Stefano Di Carlo as one of 15 players training away from River Plate’s first team, although other sources felt he could have been given more opportunities.

His loan ended by mutual consent after Paez scored once in 14 appearances in 461 minutes for River Plate.

Ahead of the international break, concern has been expressed in Ecuador, having built him up as the country’s next great attacking talent.

Michel Deller, the owner of Independiente, told Hincha Amarillo: “He’s like a son to us. We care about him deeply.”

“He’s a good kid who’s had a tough time and has made decisions that have complicated his life.”

“We are always hopeful he’ll show his exceptional talent one again but right now, it’s up to him to decide what to do with his life.”

These concerns are not dismissed completely by Chelsea or Paez’s environment. However, there is a belief they are grossly overstated, highlighting he is owed time to grow as a player and person.

There was one reminder of Paez’s quality in the dying moments of Cobham Next Gen’s (Chelsea Under-21s) defeat at Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

It was an outswinging cross from a short corner routine, which Harrison Bettoni tapped in during added time. He then put in another cross that caused havoc as Chelsea chased an equaliser in front of just 778 fans.

It was a much-needed boost for Spanish-speaking Paez, who appeared to stand alone from the other academy players before kick-off.

He did join in their warm-ups but mostly kept to himself before coming on in the 62nd minute.

Ultimately Chelsea lost, while Paez was a peripheral figure playing as a right-sided No 10, like Cole Palmer, in a system that mirrored Alonso’s back-three shape.

That was until his flurry of activity late on.

Although he’s not Chelsea’s youngest player, Paez has already made 70 appearances for Ecuadorian side Independiente and more than 100 senior matches in total.

It’s something he can fall back on in a more than salvageable situation.

Chelsea have been encouraged by his attitude, having him back in the building at Cobham where he has trained in a stable and elite environment.

There is stability around him as family attended his recent match at Wycombe.

The Blues are also now able to monitor his development more closely, while academy matches are regularly attended by scouts from across the English Football League and beyond.

There is optimism from those close to Paez that he can impress and gain a first loan move in England in January, or one of the six international loan spots will become available for him to go overseas again.

It’s more than possible he can rediscover the form that attracted Chelsea in the first place and fulfil the immense potential that made him one of South America’s most coveted young talents.