Manchester United Target Jorge Salinas for Left-Back Position

Manchester United are ready to muscle in on Racing Santander’s highly rated left-back Jorge Salinas, with the Spanish club’s own sporting director admitting the teenager will be allowed to go if his £14 million release clause is triggered.

United’s search for a long-term solution at left-back has grown urgent. Luke Shaw is entering the final year of his contract, Patrick Dorgu has been pushed higher up the pitch, and both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui remain right-backs asked to plug gaps rather than define a position. Harry Amass is viewed as a serious talent, but he has yet to taste top-flight football.

Newcastle’s Lewis Hall had emerged as the preferred option, ticking the boxes of Premier League experience and upside. That move has stalled. The Magpies have already seen major exits this summer – Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali among them – and the landscape around Hall has shifted, leaving United with less than a fortnight of the window to change course.

That’s where Salinas comes in.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakout season last term, helping Racing Santander win promotion to La Liga and catching the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Operating with maturity beyond his years, he produced seven assists in 34 games across all competitions, a return that has put him firmly on the radar of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and now United.

Reports in Spain, via Infobae, suggest Atletico have already tested Santander’s resolve with a £12m bid, only to be knocked back. The club want the full value of the release clause. Atletico, for now, have balked.

Santander, wary of losing one of their crown jewels, have offered Salinas a contract extension to strengthen their position. His current deal already runs until 2029, but the player is understood to be keeping his options open as the clock ticks down on the window and interest hardens.

Atletico had been expected to drive the move, yet their hesitation has opened the door. With Michael Carrick’s United now in the frame, the Madrid club have reportedly set themselves a weekend deadline to get the deal over the line. Fail to do so, and they are prepared to walk away – potentially handing United a clear run at one of Spain’s most promising young full-backs.

Inside Santander, the constant swirl of speculation is beginning to grate. Sporting director Chema Aragon, speaking to SportWitness, made his irritation plain.

“You’re all going on about this every day. First, it’s about the release clause; then, it’s about one club or another,” he said. “Thankfully, the kid is focused. If someone comes along, brings the €16m, and the boy likes the team, he’ll leave.”

The stance is blunt. The pathway is simple. For United, the question now is whether they are willing to move fast, pay the clause and trust a 19-year-old to solve a position that has troubled them for years.