Manchester United have added their name to the list of clubs tracking Mezian Mesloub, a 16-year-old attacking talent making waves in Ligue 1 with Lens, according to reports. The club's scouting network is understood to have conducted detailed analysis on the youngster, though the interest is not believed to be connected to the ongoing situation surrounding United's own academy prospect, JJ Gabriel, who has expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford.
Mesloub, who typically plays as an attacking midfielder on the right flank and has drawn comparisons to an inverted winger, burst onto the scene in dramatic fashion last May. Introduced as a substitute by then-Lens boss Pierre Sage, now in charge at Crystal Palace, the teenager needed just five seconds to make an impact, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Nantes.
His progress at senior level has continued steadily since that eye-catching introduction, even if his opportunities have been carefully managed. Mesloub was among the substitutes when Lens defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Trophee des Champions, France's version of the Community Shield, before featuring in a Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague, where he came off the bench to provide an assist in a thrilling 3-2 win secured in the closing stages.
Last Friday marked a significant milestone for the youngster, as he was handed his first senior start in Ligue 1 during Lens's clash with Monaco, further underlining his rapid emergence within the club's first-team plans.
Unsurprisingly, his performances have caught the eye of several major European clubs beyond United. Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona have also been linked with the teenager, while Ligue 1 rivals PSG and Monaco are reportedly considering a move as well. Given their domestic status in France, PSG and Monaco could face fewer regulatory obstacles in pursuing a deal compared to their foreign competitors.
Any move involving United or other clubs outside France would likely require patience, as FIFA regulations make it difficult to sign players under the age of 18 across international borders. This means interested parties, including United, may need to adopt a long-term strategy in their pursuit of the young playmaker.
Adding another layer of intrigue to Mesloub's development is the question of which nation he will ultimately represent at senior international level. Born in France, he could also qualify for Algeria or Portugal through family ties. His father, Walid Mesloub, is a former Algeria international who also had a playing career at Lens, while his mother's side of the family traces its roots to Portugal, with his grandfather having emigrated from there to France in the 1960s.
Mesloub has already featured for France at youth level, having received a call-up in 2024, but he has more recently represented Portugal's Under-17 side, suggesting his allegiance remains undecided. Under international football regulations, his final choice of nation will only be locked in once he plays a competitive match at senior level, leaving open the possibility of a contest between three nations for his services.
For now, Mesloub's focus remains on continuing his development at Lens, where he is steadily gaining first-team experience in one of Europe's most competitive leagues. Whether that development eventually leads him to Old Trafford, another Premier League giant, or keeps him within France's borders, remains to be seen.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.