Mezian Mesloub: Man United identify RC Lens 16-year-old as JJ Gabriel replacement

On September 29, 2026, Manchester United identified RC Lens 16-year-old Mezian Mesloub as a potential replacement for JJ Gabriel, with other top European clubs reported to be monitoring the teenager.

Mesloub signed his first professional contract in July and made a notable Ligue 1 breakthrough on May 8, 2026, when he debuted for Lens against FC Nantes and scored with his first touch five seconds after coming on as a substitute; that victory secured Lens a place in the UEFA Champions League. He also featured in a 2-1 defeat to AS Monaco earlier this month.

Born in France to a Portuguese mother and an Algerian father, Mesloub opted to represent Portugal at youth level after a France U16 call-up in 2024; he moved through Portugal’s U16 and U17 ranks and made his Portugal Under-21 debut in a 2-1 loss to Bulgaria in September 2026.

European clubs named as showing scouting interest include FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, and the teenager has been described in coverage as one of the most promising young players in Europe. RC Lens have fielded extensive attention around the player as he rose through their development system.

Mesloub’s father, Walid Mesloub, serves as an assistant manager within the Lens development structure and is a former RC Lens captain and Algeria midfielder. The family connection places the player within Lens’s academy pathway.

On September 10, 2026, Mesloub made his UEFA Champions League debut against SK Slavia Prague, coming on late and registering an assist in a 3-2 win; he became one of the youngest players to record a Champions League assist before turning 17. Earlier league and European appearances have followed his professional signing.

Primarily deployed as an attacking midfielder or an inverted right winger, Mesloub is consistently described as a left-footed, explosive and technically gifted player who can also operate centrally as a creative offensive midfielder; European media and scouts have compared him to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

Despite the reported interest from several top clubs, no move has been planned, according to reliable sources.