Mezian Mesloub set to reject Benfica and sign first contract at Lens

According to a report from L’Équipe, RC Lens have fought off competition from SL Benfica to secure the future of attacking midfielder Mezian Mesloub (16), with the teenager set to sign his first professional contract with the French club. 

Mesloub came up through the ranks in the Lens youth system and even made his professional debut off the bench in May when he scored the winner five seconds after coming onto the pitch in the 1-0 victory over FC Nantes. 

L’Équipe writes that tying down the French-born Portuguese youth international (who can also represent Algeria) to a professional contract was the top priority for Les Sang et Or this summer, especially with him facing interest from elsewhere. Reportedly, Benfica sent him a contract offer, while he had also caught the attention of PSV Eindhoven. 

Mesloub played a part in Lens’s first preseason game, a 4-1 win over US Boulogne CO. The teenager, playing as an attacking midfielder, scored twice in the second half.