Manchester United will have to see off Chelsea if they are to sign Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko, according to reports in Slovenia.

It is believed that Blues co-owner Todd Boehly met with Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic on Sunday to discuss a potential transfer.

United’s football director John Murtough is thought to have already made contact with Basanovic a couple of weeks ago so they may have a head start in negotiations.

However, Salzburg are said to be very reluctant to sell the Slovenian international this summer, and any team would have to pay at least €55m (£46m) if they wanted to secure his services.

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is keen on strengthening the frontline before the transfer window closes and, while signing Sesko could prove expensive, he would still be cheaper than United’s main alternative.

Although Ajax’s Antony is not an out-and-out striker, he was still tipped as the likeliest candidate to reinforce ten Hag’s forward options, but his €80m (£67m) price tag has made any deal prohibitive.