The Sun reports that Barat, the owner of Epic Sports Football, has lined up talks with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and that Gabriel's entourage identified him as a potential fixer ahead of a marquee move.
Senior figures at Manchester United are said to be surprised by his involvement, and a number of agencies were reportedly deterred by the fees Gabriel's team were demanding.
Gabriel, 15, told United of his intention to leave last week after he was left out of their Champions League squad for the game against Sabah. He and his family put in a formal request to be de-registered after he scored a hat-trick in United's 5-0 UEFA Youth League win over Sabah, and that he has not trained with the club since. United sources do not expect him to play for the club again.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern are all interested, and that the player and his family are in Barcelona for talks. Club insiders have scoffed at the idea of a move to Real Madrid, where young players have historically struggled to find a route into the first team. United were also aware of his attraction to Barcelona, which dates back at least five years. He visited Catalonia when he was 11 and returned there in the summer.
The timing matters because Gabriel turns 16 on 6 October. There is a belief, owing to a precedent involving a FIFA loophole, that he could leave for a European club at that age if he obtains a European passport through either parent. Any move would be subject to FIFA approval, and Gabriel is contracted to United until the end of the season.
Education is another factor. Gabriel has been home-schooled in recent years, and he would have to resume education abroad, with FIFA rules requiring his next club to guarantee it alongside his football development.
United manager Michael Carrick told reporters, “I think he's a young boy, JJ, and I think it's important that we certainly don't play anything out here.”