Manchester United Enter Race For £55 Million Bayern Munich Target Amid Cristiano Ronaldo Exit Rumours

Manchester United are still 'in the dark' on Cristiano Ronaldo's situation and are starting to sound out potential replacements if the 37-year-old ends up leaving this summer.

One of those could be RB Salzburg's young 19-year-old forward Benjamin Sesko.

After integrating into the first-team fully last season, Sesko contributed to 17 goals in just over 1500 minutes of football.

This averages out at around about a goal or assist every 90 minutes played.

Attraction for the teenage striker has come from a number of clubs, including Bayern Munich and Newcastle.

However, it seems like United are preparing to involve themselves in a potential deal.

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A report from Simon Jones of the Daily Mail says the Reds have joined other clubs in monitoring Sesko.

However, there is a huge stumbling block in any potential deal involving the Old Trafford club.

The report adds that RB Salzburg do not wish to sell the talented forward for anything less than £55 million, a huge price tag on a talent who is yet to prove himself in any of Europe's top five leagues.

Whist United would likely be afforded more room in their budget should Ronaldo exit the club, this deal fails to make sense at the price reported.

However, what it does show is that United are already sounding out options in the striker department in anticipation of their no.7's decision.

Latest news on that front has said that the Reds still do not know when, or if, Ronaldo will return to join the squad.

The Portuguese veteran was absent from United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to personal issues, but the reports of his desired departure came out days before he was due to report back at Carrington.

Erik ten Hag has been on a deflecting mission in press conferences since, where he has reiterated the club's stance that the player is not on the transfer list this summer.

"We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo this season and that's it. I look forward to working with him," he told journalists at the beginning of pre-season.

"Cristiano is not for sale, he's in our plans and we want success together."

However, a recent report from Steve Bates for The Mirror has said that the club privately acknowledge that it would be difficult and potentially disruptive to Ten Hag's plans if they force an unhappy Ronaldo to stay at the club.

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The legendary forward is desperate to continue playing in the Champions League, something that United can't offer following their sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

The aforementioned report from Simon Jones adds that United will need to clarify the situation with their forward this week, after they returned from pre-season tour.