Mesloub’s breakout has United scouts buzzing – could the 16‑year‑old Lens winger become the next JJ Gabriel?
After endless scouting missions, the teenager finally cracked Lens’s senior lineup this season.
United still rely on Gabriel, yet Mesloub offers a ready‑made alternative should the forward depart.
What defines Mesloub Standard Sport analysis…
Who truly is Mezian Mesloub?
At merely 16, he already lines up for Ligue 1 side Lens.
Naturally right‑footed, he likes cutting inside from the flank.
In May he detonated, scoring five seconds after replacing Pierre Sage to clinch a 1‑0 win over Nantes.
His influence has echoed all season, as Lens slowly weaves him into senior fixtures.
He cameoed in Lens’s 1‑0 Trophée des Champions upset of PSG, then made his Ligue 1 debut versus Monaco on Friday.
Earlier he featured in the Champions League, delivering the assist in a dramatic 3‑2 triumph over Slavia Prague.
Which teams are pursuing Mesloub?
Those early sparks have already attracted interest from several European giants.
My take: United’s low‑key scouting reveals keen foresight beyond Gabriel’s immediate void.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona also circle the youngster.
FIFA rules make pre‑18 foreign moves tricky, turning any United deal into a long‑term project.
PSG and Monaco have shown interest, and their French base could smooth a domestic transfer.
United must act swiftly, or the Red Devils risk losing him to rivals this summer.
Born in France, Mesloub could ultimately pick Algeria or Portugal thanks to his heritage.
His father, Walid Mesloub, a former Algerian international, also wore the Lens shirt.
The Portuguese link stems from his mother; his grandfather migrated from Portugal to France in the 1960s.
France capped him at youth level in 2024, yet he recently appeared for Portugal’s U‑17 side.
His senior allegiance stays undecided until a competitive cap, fueling a three‑way tug‑of‑war.
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