RFL bosses are keen for Super League to be showcased in a major British city like Manchester and are believed to want a well-run club to be in direct competition with the Sharks.
Reds under the guidance of John Wilkinson appear to fit the bill as genuine contenders for this task. Their central location, plus the move to a new £35m state of the art stadium at Barton, gives their bid a strong appeal.
If Salford return to Super League next season, they will be told by the RL's governing body to challenge Sharks on and off the field.
A source within the RFL's Red Hall HQ told MEN Sport: "Sharks have been highly successful in recent years, but we would ideally like Super League to be equally prominent within the Manchester area.
Clubs selected for Super League will be announced in July and the Reds are "quietly confident" they will be among those selected but will face competition from national league rivals Widnes and the Celtic Crusaders.
Ironically, when Salford first revealed plans to move to a new stadium, there was talk of them sharing a ground with the Sharks but this never materialised.
The two rival rugby clubs held talks on the matter but Reds chairman John Wilkinson decided to go it alone as discussions broke down with Sharks' owner Brian Kennedy.
Wilkinson and his board of directors then outlined their ambitious plans to a number of major sponsors and city backers, including the Trafford Centre.
Various parties came on board and Wilkinson was in a position to speak with the local authority and press ahead for Barton to become what he claims will be Britain's finest Rugby League stadium.
The Barton complex is due to be completed by 2010. Sales Sharks play their home games at Stockport County's Edgeley Park.
Meanwhile, Reds medics will today assess the extent of a knee injury sustained by Ian Sibbit. It is feared he has damaged a lateral ligament and could face a lengthy lay-off.
Sibbit had just returned to action following a wrist injury.
Ian Hanley remains firm favourite for the Warrington job following the departure last week of Paul Cullen, who has been linked with Sale as an attacking coach. Tweet
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I personally am totally opposed to the franchise system and an end to relegation etc, but super league has to have a presence in Manchester surely and they would be mad to say no to Salford
Salford's problem in matching Sharks is that the Sharks are the only senior R.U. team in the north-west of England.
Salford have Saints, Wigan & Warrington to contend with, regarding attracting fans.
It's a tall order but good luck to them.
Super League definitely need a presence in M/C . And salford is the obvious answer. They are an established team with a soon to be completed stadium , which we are told, is state of the art! However to attract fans and media coverage, the team needs to do well on the field. It is up to the RFL to ensure that new clubs in the Super League are competitive even in their first season If it means a draft of players from 0ther clubs ,so be it!Torred, Toronto
I am totally in favour of the franchise system as it will give youngsters more of a chance to succeed in the game.
Salford have great potential in that system and deserve to be granted a franchise.