According to reports from CaughtOffside and other outlets (citing sources on January 25, 2026), the highly-rated dual French-Ivorian talent has caught the eye of Premier League heavyweights amid his breakout season at Stade Rennais. Meïté, who joined Rennes from their academy setup and made his senior debut in the 2024/25 campaign, has impressed with his explosive pace, technical dribbling, clinical finishing, and ability to lead the line or play wide—attributes that make him a modern, versatile No. 9 profile.
In the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season, Meïté has already shown flashes of elite potential despite limited starts in a competitive Rennes attack featuring talents like Arnaud Kalimuendo and others. His goal contributions (exact tallies vary by source but include standout strikes and assists in cup competitions and league outings) have drawn comparisons to young forwards who burst onto the scene before big moves, with scouts praising his composure in the box and physical maturity for his age.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United are tracking him closely, though no formal offers have been submitted yet in the current January window (which closes February 2, 2026). Chelsea, under Liam Rosenior, see Meïté as a long-term investment to bolster their forward options—potentially as depth or a future successor amid ongoing questions around attacking consistency and Cole Palmer’s central role. The Blues have been active in scouting Ligue 1 talents (with past links to players like Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg), and Meïté fits their youth-focused, high-potential recruitment strategy.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are eyeing him as part of their rebuild under their current setup—particularly to add youthful firepower up top after recent frustrations in front of goal and with Casemiro’s confirmed summer exit freeing resources. Insiders at Old Trafford view Meïté as a “profile worth pursuing,” with his low initial cost (Rennes’ valuation likely in the €30-50m range depending on add-ons) making him an attractive prospect compared to pricier alternatives.
Interest extends beyond the Premier League duo: sources indicate Meïté is “high in demand” across Europe and even in Saudi Arabia, with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur also rumored to be monitoring. However, the teenager is reportedly hesitant about a Saudi move, preferring a top European league step-up that could accelerate his development and international ambitions with Ivory Coast or France youth setups.
Rennes, aware of his rising stock, are expected to demand a significant fee if any bids arrive this winter, though a summer exit seems more realistic given the window’s dynamics and his contract situation. No concrete negotiations have surfaced yet, but the dual tracking by Chelsea and United signals a potential bidding war if Meïté continues his upward trajectory.
This development underscores both clubs’ strategies: Chelsea prioritizing versatile, homegrown-esque talents for depth in their star-studded attack, while United seek cost-effective, high-upside additions to inject energy into their forward line. Fans on both sides are buzzing over the prospect, with Meïté’s youth and raw talent positioning him as a “next big thing” in Ligue 1 exports—following in the footsteps of stars like Ousmane Dembélé or Kylian Mbappé from similar pathways.
For now, Meïté remains focused on performing for Rennes, but with Premier League giants circling, his market could heat up rapidly in the coming months. Whether it’s a January surprise or a summer showdown, the 18-year-old’s future looks set for a major leap.
