Manchester United remain in talks with Red Bull Salzburg over a deal for Benjamin Sesko, but it could be 'difficult to achieve'. 

That's according to Dharmesh Sheth, a reporter at Sky Sports News.

The lowdown

Sky Sports reported last week that United had held initial talks with the Austrian champions over the teenage striker.

Salzburg feel under no pressure to sell because Sesko still has another four years remaining on his contract.

The Daily Mail have previously claimed that the Slovenian could cost as much as £55million, which would make him the fourth-most expensive teenager in football history.

The latest

Sheth, writing on his personal Twitter account, shared the state of play in United's pursuit of the forward:

"Manchester United still interested in doing a deal for RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko. 'Difficult to achieve' remains the feeling given gap in valuations. Dialogue 'remains open' between the clubs, though."

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The verdict

United definitely need to sign a striker before the end of this transfer window.

Edinson Cavani left the club at the end of last season, and even if they can convince Cristiano Ronaldo to stay, it's possible that his heart won't be quite in it after his persistent requests to leave the club.

That leaves Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as potential no. 9 options, but between them they scored just seven goals in all competitions last season. You'd have to wonder whether United would have the firepower to qualify for the Champions League if they put their faith in that duo.

There's now less than a month remaining in the transfer window, so if United don't feel that the Sesko deal is doable, then they should move on.

But you can understand why they're not giving up lightly - Sesko scored ten goals and provided seven assists in just 1,554 minutes of football last season, equating to a goal contribution every 91 minutes.

He may only be 19 years old, but he already boasts 'incredible strength and size', in the words of sports journalist Maxi Angelo, and that could help him hold his own in the Premier League.