Man Utd keen to replace JJ Gabriel with 16-year-old ‘phenom’ who already made top-flight debut

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Utd Report

·29 September 2026

Man Utd keen to replace JJ Gabriel with 16-year-old ‘phenom’ who already made top-flight debut

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for the extremely talented Portuguese teenager Mezian Mesloub.

The Red Devils have seemingly resigned themselves to losing JJ Gabriel, who wants to leave Carrington sooner rather than later.

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The talented English striker might be the most exciting 15-year-old in the sport, but his imminent departure has only solidified United’s insatiable desire to recruit some of the brightest young talents in the world.

Man Utd set sights on Mezian Mesloub

After poaching Manchester City duo Karim Cassim and David Eze, MUFC announced the capture of 16-year-old Liverpool winger Isaac Konde on Monday.

And yet, Man Utd’s quest to add promising teenagers to their ranks never stops, as they have now identified Mesloub as their next big target.

According to The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the Red Devils have been mesmerised by the 16-year-old who made his senior debut for RC Lens at the start of the season.

The attacking midfielder has attracted great interest from all over Europe, but the Ligue 1 side has no plans to sell him just yet.

The source adds that Man Utd won’t be able to officially buy the Portuguese before January 2028, as the Premier League rules prevent the signing of overseas players before they turn 18. Mesloub will celebrate his 18th birthday in November 2027.

This bureaucratic hurdle could give an advantage to the player’s other suitors, but United can still reach a pre-agreement with Lens and the player’s entourage.

Why Mesloub is one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe

Mesloub is a left-footed player blessed with immense talent. Spanish portal AS described him as a ‘phenom’ while comparing him to Lamine Yamal.

While he primarily features as an attacking midfielder, the teenager is capable of playing on the wings or in a deeper midfield role.

Mesloub was born in Martigues, France, but he opted to represent Portugal at the international level, starting with the under-15s0. He recently made his debut for the Seleção’s under-21 side.

After making his Ligue 1 debut last season, he has now become a regular feature in Yannick Cahuzac’s first team.

The French-Portuguese teenager is tied to Lens with a contract valid until the summer of 2030.

Moreover, his father, Walid Mesloub, is the assistant coach of the club’s second team, known as Lens Espoire.