Meite, 18, is valued at around €30 million (£26m), and exploratory talks are ongoing to determine whether a deal can be completed before the end of the month.
Sources have told Flashscore that the youngster initially caught United’s attention during scouting missions to watch Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, who has also been monitored by Chelsea.
The teenage forward has been carefully managed in Ligue 1 this season, making most of his appearances from the bench. However, his impact has been clear, with five goal contributions so far - averaging one every 106 minutes.
His style and potential fit with the way United are building their squad, as the club looks to strike a balance between Premier League-proven signings and elite young talent for future seasons.
Meanwhile, Zirkzee is waiting to learn whether he will be allowed to leave before the window closes. The striker is aware that his long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain and is understood to be open to a transfer, particularly to Serie A, where several clubs have expressed interest.
