Flashscore sources: Chelsea see JJ Gabriel as chance to make up for Ngumoha loss

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/lz3CFgdg/"]Chelsea[/a] were hugely disappointed when they lost [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ngumoha-rio/rejpF30d/"]Rio Ngumoha[/a], who joined their academy as an eight-year-old before leaving for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/xOUvXTA3/"]Liverpool[/a] in 2024. A tribunal subsequently ordered [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a] to pay [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] a minimum of £2.8 million in compensation for Ngumoha’s training and development during his time at the club.[/p][p]Now Ngumoha is starring for Liverpool’s first team, while Chelsea have continued with their own plans to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.[/p][p][b]Sources close to the club say Chelsea have known about [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gabriel-joseph/2yc1SmD7/"]Gabriel[/a] for a long time and now see his decision to ask [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/4Cxrpa8R/"]Manchester United[/a] to cancel his academy registration as an unexpected chance to bring him to Stamford Bridge.[/b][/p][infobox id="c5ce5f5a-ccb6-468f-9fce-bb4a330c372a" /][p]Chelsea know it will be a long shot - particularly as Gabriel is also attracting serious interest from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], with both Spanish giants having held talks with his representatives. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] are in the frame as well. [/p][p]The 15-year-old is continuing to weigh up his options, while United have become increasingly concerned about their ability to convince him to stay.[/p][p]For Chelsea, though, there is an added significance to the opportunity.[/p][p][b]There is a feeling that Ngumoha would have featured heavily in their plans over the coming years and that place could instead be filled by the exciting figure of Gabriel.[/b][/p][image alt="Rio Ngumoha has gone on to become a rising star at Liverpool" id="2dfaff12-aab3-46bd-bb25-366b6da1fedb" credit-line="Reuters / Phil Noble" guid="47613561-a64a-4632-ba41-290884130e16" original-width="2753" original-height="1860" /][p]Gabriel could offer Chelsea another chance to secure one of the most highly regarded young players in his age group before he reaches the senior game.[/p][p]The club continued to work on the possibility last week despite knowing they face competition from two of the biggest clubs in world football.[/p][p]For United, the situation is uncomfortable, and they are disappointed to have found themselves in such a difficult position with one of their most highly rated young players.[/p][infobox id="f961102e-920a-4281-b5f2-f996852544cf" /]