Manchester United Eye Jorge Salinas as Left-Back Solution
Manchester United are weighing up a move for Racing Santander left-back Jorge Salinas as the search for a long-term solution on the left of defence gathers pace under Michael Carrick.
The 19-year-old has already stirred a tug of war in Spain. Now United are being tipped to crash the party.
United’s left-back puzzle
Carrick’s squad has carried a left-back issue into the final fortnight of the window. Luke Shaw is entering the last year of his contract, Patrick Dorgu has been pushed further forward, and both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui remain right-backs asked to plug gaps rather than own the role.
Harry Amass is highly rated inside the club but has yet to play top-flight football. Newcastle’s Lewis Hall had emerged as a leading option, with his Premier League minutes and upside making him an attractive fit.
That path has closed. Newcastle’s summer upheaval – with major exits including Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali – has complicated any Hall deal, leaving United scrambling for alternatives as the deadline looms.
Salinas on the radar
Into that space steps Salinas. The teenager was one of Racing Santander’s standout performers last season, helping drive the club’s promotion to La Liga and catching the eye of some of Europe’s biggest scouts.
Seven assists in 34 games across all competitions underline his impact from full-back. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have both tracked him, sensing value in a modern, attacking defender with room to grow.
United have now been handed encouragement. Reports in Spain claim Atletico saw a £12m bid knocked back, with Racing holding firm closer to the £14m release clause written into his contract. Salinas is tied down until 2029, but the clause keeps the door wide open for an opportunistic move.
Atletico are said to be struggling to close the gap. Their hesitation has left a sliver of daylight – and United are moving into it.
Deadline pressure in Spain
Infobae report that Atletico have set themselves a weekend deadline to get the transfer over the line. Fail to make a breakthrough, and they are prepared to walk away, potentially clearing the path for United to take control of the chase.
Racing, for their part, have reportedly put a contract extension on the table, but the player is understood to be waiting to see what the final days of the window bring. For a 19-year-old with Spain U19 pedigree and La Liga football ahead, the timing is delicate.
Inside the club, the noise is becoming relentless. Sporting director Chema Aragon voiced his irritation at the constant speculation, speaking to SportWitness.
“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 message is blunt. Meet the clause, convince the player, and Racing will not stand in his way.
With less than two weeks left in the window, United’s need at left-back is obvious, the price is clear, and the competition is hesitating. The question now is simple: do they strike, or risk watching another solution slip away?
