By OkayGoal
Arsenal and Manchester United are both monitoring Al-Hilal’s young French forward Mohamed Kader Meite, with the two Premier League heavyweights leading the race for the 18-year-old’s signature.
Reports suggest the Gunners and the Red Devils were among a handful of English clubs alerted to Meite’s availability during the summer window. While enquiries were made by both sides, no formal move was completed before the deadline. That said, interest from Emirates Stadium and Old Trafford has not cooled, with fresh attempts expected across next year’s transfer windows.
Who Is Mohamed Kader Meite?
Born in Creteil, Meite is among the latest wave of French talent generating buzz across Europe. He worked his way through several Parisian academies before joining Stade Rennais, where he racked up 32 first-team appearances and five goals as a teenager. His performances convinced Al-Hilal to swoop for him earlier this year, though regular football in Saudi Arabia has proven harder to come by, with just 452 minutes and two goals across 13 appearances so far.
Why the Premier League Interest Makes Sense
Arsenal’s fascination with Meite fits neatly into their pattern of recruiting sharp, young forwards as long-term investments. With Viktor Gyokeres drawing criticism from the likes of Jamie Carragher this season, there’s a growing case for Mikel Arteta to add competition up front rather than rely on one focal point.
Manchester United’s motivation looks similarly logical. Joshua Zirkzee has struggled to convince, and Meite’s physical build reportedly draws comparisons to Benjamin Sesko — exactly the kind of profile Ruben Amorim’s system could use.
Personally, a 2027 move feels more realistic than an immediate January raid. Al-Hilal are unlikely to sanction a cut-price exit so soon, but if Meite continues finding minutes hard to come by, a return to Europe next year wouldn’t surprise anyone.