The young forward has been spending time in Madrid after stepping away from the day-to-day routine of Manchester United's academy, as he prepares for what could become a significant move in his development.
Gabriel recently celebrated his 16th birthday and has already attracted considerable attention in England. His ambition is equally striking, with the teenager telling Marca that his ultimate dream is to win the Ballon d'Or.
“My dream is to win a Ballon d'Or,” he said.
Gabriel was also presented with the first newspaper front page dedicated to him, featuring the announcement of his impending move to Real Madrid. Smiling as he looked at the cover, he asked whether he could keep it.
The teenager has been training twice a day in Spain, working individually on the pitch in the morning before heading to the gym in the afternoon.
Real Madrid are seeking to complete an agreement that would bring Gabriel into their development system, with the club understood to be interested in placing him with Castilla.
The forward remains registered with Manchester United, however, and the situation is not yet a completed transfer.
According to reports, his representative Ali Barat is working on the contractual arrangements while also helping to organise accommodation for the player and his family.
Gabriel's registration status is one of the issues surrounding the timing of the move. Manchester United have not yet been formally approached by Real Madrid or the player's family, according to reporting in England, while the teenager remains on the club's books.
The January transfer window is being viewed as the potential opportunity to formalise the switch.
The regulations governing international transfers of minors are also relevant. FIFA generally prohibits international transfers of players under 18, although exceptions exist for certain moves within the European Union involving players aged 16 to 18.
Gabriel's Irish passport is therefore an important factor in the proposed move, given the exception available to qualifying young European players.
Manchester United are understood to be unhappy about the prospect of losing a highly rated academy talent and could examine their options if they believe the regulations have not been followed.
The teenager's development at United has been closely watched, and his departure would represent a significant loss for the club.
His decision to pursue a move to Madrid reflects the scale of the opportunity he believes is available in Spain. The club have previously provided a pathway for young players such as Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde to develop before establishing themselves in the senior side.
For Gabriel, the immediate priority is to complete the next stage of his move and continue progressing on the pitch. The Ballon d'Or ambition may be a distant target, but his proposed move to Madrid would represent the biggest step yet in a career that is only beginning.