Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Meite Interest Heats Up as Onana Exit Nears
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to intensify their pursuit of Rennes striker Kader Meite in a potential £26 million deal, while goalkeeper Andre Onana appears to be moving closer to a permanent departure from Old Trafford. The Red Devils, currently riding high under interim manager Michael Carrick, are said to be exploring strategic moves to balance their squad despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club's long-term managerial situation.
United Step Up Pursuit of French Prodigy Meite
According to recent reports from The Guardian, Manchester United are considering whether to escalate their interest in 18-year-old French striker Kader Meite. The club has already held preliminary discussions with the player's representatives regarding a possible transfer to the Premier League.
The young forward, who currently plays for Ligue 1 side Rennes, is said to be valued at approximately €30 million (£26 million) with two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract. Meite has made an impressive start to his professional career, scoring three goals and providing two assists in just 17 French top-flight appearances since making his debut as a 17-year-old in November 2024.
United face significant competition for the France under-21 international's signature, with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Additionally, several European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Crystal Palace, and Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs on the promising young striker's development.
Onana's Manchester United Future in Doubt
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Andre Onana appears to be heading toward a permanent exit from Manchester United following his loan spell at Turkish side Trabzonspor. The Cameroonian shot-stopper, who joined United from Inter Milan in 2023, has reportedly seen his position at Old Trafford become increasingly uncertain since the arrival of Senne Lammens as the club's new number one.
The Daily Mail has claimed that Onana's representatives have held discussions with Inter Milan regarding a potential return to the Serie A club. The 29-year-old goalkeeper enjoyed considerable success during his previous stint at Inter, notably helping the Italian side reach the Champions League final in 2023 before making his move to Manchester.
Although Onana has reportedly not completely given up on his United career, the prospect of replacing Yann Sommer at Inter Milan appears to be gaining momentum. The goalkeeper's recent form in Turkey, where he has helped Trabzonspor to just three defeats in 16 matches, is said to have alerted his former club to his resurgence between the posts.
Zirkzee Attracts Premier League Interest
In other transfer developments, Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has reportedly attracted interest from Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. The Dutch striker has seen limited playing time at Old Trafford this season following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko.
Despite managing just nine goals and four assists in 65 appearances for United, the club is said to be reluctant to sanction a mid-season sale that would weaken their attacking options. With Carrick's side currently positioned favorably in the race for Champions League qualification, maintaining squad depth remains a priority during this crucial period of the campaign.
Zirkzee's future at United has been subject to increasing speculation, with a potential return to Serie A repeatedly mentioned as a possibility for the 22-year-old forward.
Carrick's Impact and Transfer Window Dynamics
Manchester United's impressive run of form under interim manager Michael Carrick has seen the club secure two consecutive victories against Premier League title contenders, propelling them into the Champions League places. This positive momentum has created an intriguing backdrop for the club's transfer activities, with the former Middlesbrough head coach focusing primarily on maintaining the team's current performance levels.
While the January transfer window was initially expected to be relatively quiet at Old Trafford due to the managerial uncertainty, recent reports suggest that strategic moves could still materialize as the club looks to strengthen key areas of the squad. The potential acquisition of Kader Meite represents a forward-thinking approach to squad building, targeting promising young talent that could develop into a significant asset for the future.
As the season progresses, United's transfer strategy will likely continue to evolve in response to both immediate competitive needs and long-term planning considerations, with the club's hierarchy balancing short-term objectives against sustainable squad development.
