Manchester United Identify £40m Ex-Arsenal Target As Ronaldo Replacement

Manchester United have reportedly identified RB Salzburg Benjamin Sesko as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has started the last three games since being dropped from the squad for refusing to feature as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur, but his future at Old Trafford still looks to be uncertain.

It now feels like only a matter of time before Ronaldo leaves Man Utd, with an exit likely in January or next summer when his contract expires.

If Ronaldo had got his way, he would have departed United in the summer as he wanted to join a club competing in the Champions League.

At that point, the Red Devils were keen to keep him and there was not a lot of interest in him from rival clubs.

The 37-year-old has caused a stir in recent months. He missed much of pre-season and he has spent most of this campaign as a substitute.

Ronaldo is clearly unhappy about this as he refused to come on against Tottenham last month.

He has returned to the fold after being punished by Erik ten Hag, who has handled this whole saga pretty well.

It seems like it’s happy families at United for now, but it surely will not be long before the former Real Madrid legend kicks up a fuss again if he is left out of the team.

RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko

It is for the best that the player and club part ways, and according to The Telegraph, Man Utd are aware of this themselves.

They are ‘preparing for life without Ronaldo’ as they are ‘prioritizing a striker as their next major signing’.

According to The Telegraph, the Red Devils are interested in signing Sesko after previously being linked with the 19-year-old in the summer.

The Slovenia international has already agreed a deal to join Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig next summer, but that has not deterred Man United, who are prepared to be patient in their pursuit.

Infoexpert24 understands that Sesko, who could cost in excess of £40m, has scored 17 goals and provided nine assists in his 62 appearances for the Austrian champions.