Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United are continuing to scour the market for top young talent.
Disappointingly, Manchester United appear set to lose highly rated young player JJ Gabriel, who has expressed a desire to leave. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both pushing to land him.
United are not giving up on Gabriel yet, but according to Teamtalk, the club are busy identifying young talent to join the club.
Lens talent Mezian Mesloub is the latest player to emerge on Manchester United’s radar.
Who is Mezian Mesloub?
Mezian Mesloub is 16-years-old and plays for Lens. He turns 17 in November.
Mesloub is a Portugal youth international who is also eligible to play for France. He was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique. He also had the option to represent Algeria.
Lens already have Mesloub under contract until 2030, and he has family ties to the club. His father Walid has been on the staff as the assistant manager.
Mesloub made his Lens debut in May under now Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage, and he has continued his development this season.
At present he has five first team appearances to his name, including making his debut in the Champions League against Slavia Prague.
Mesloub hit the headlines by providing an assist in that game. Coach Dino Toppmoller stated: “It’s incredible to show this character, this personality, this desire for every ball at 16. We knew he was a player capable of being very decisive, I have great faith in him.”
Teamtalk report that United are doing ‘extensive work’ on Mesloub but face competition.
Getty Images
Mesloub deal not straightforward
There is a major complication for United’s interest in Mesloub, and that is his age.
United cannot sign Mesloub until he turns 18, which means the earliest deal can take place is the January 2028 transfer window.
Other European clubs are not bound by the same Brexit-related restrictions that English clubs are. Paris Saint-Germain are among the sides showing interest in Mesloub, and they could have extra incentive to move early to sign the teenager.
United are also watching Norwegian wonderkid Gabriel Rajkovic, but face a similar dilemma.