Marseille are ‘exploring a deal to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United’.
The forward, who spent last season on loan at Getafe, had been attracting interest from Lazio and a number of other sides after United named their price for him at £40m.
But now the Ligue 1 team, under ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, have emerged as front-runners, according to the Athletic.
They report that Greenwood and Marseille have engaged in positive talks and that he favours them at this stage.
Mail Sport revealed last week that United had opened negotiations with Lazio, who were also keen on signing Greenwood last summer and they also remain in the fight for his signature.
Man United remain locked in talks with Lazio over a deal worth up to £40m for Mason Greenwood
Juventus, Napoli and clubs in Germany and Spain have also held an interest in Greenwood, who scored 10 goals in 36 games for Getafe last term.
Man United decided the 22-year-old forward had no future at Old Trafford despite the Crown Prosecution Service dropping charges of attempted rape and assault against him last year.
The club want a permanent sale but could still accept a structure of loan with obligation to buy the 22-year-old.
A fee of £30m rising to around £40m with add-ons is likely to be the final sum, as reported by Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler and Sami Mokbel.
Marseille finished eighth in Ligue 1 last term and went through three managers during a turbulent campaign.
De Zerbi is charged with taking the team into next season and it could be regarded as a coup if Greenwood is persuaded to join.
The Manchester United star was loaned out to Getafe for a season-long stint last campaign
Manchester United, now directed by INEOS and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe are willing to listen to offers for almost all of their squad this summer
United would benefit from the transfer funds, with the club aiming to raise a transfer kitty this summer.
Jadon Sancho is another out of favour attacker who is for sale, with the Old Trafford side putting a £40m price tag on him.
Raphael Varane, Antony Martial and Brandon Williams have already left at the end of their contracts and United would like to lose Casemiro’s huge £375,000-a-week wage off the books and are willing to listen to offers for almost all of Erik ten Hag’s squad.