Manchester United have been linked with more players than usual this transfer window, and their pursuit of Lewis Hall from Newcastle United appears unlikely to succeed. The club's data department, now led by Michael Sansoni, formerly of Mercedes F1, has compiled a long shortlist of targets for each position, with the aim of identifying alternatives to primary targets.
Data-Driven Recruitment
Sansoni has overseen the transformation of the data department, which now plays a greater role in recruitment. The theory is that data analytics can provide depth to traditional scouting methods and help identify alternatives to targets they may miss out on. For instance, Mateus Fernandes was close to Elliot Anderson on key midfield metrics last season, prompting United to attempt to sign him from West Ham after missing out on Anderson. Similarly, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans were identified as market opportunities once Tottenham won the race for Fernandes.
Lewis Hall Pursuit
The pursuit of Lewis Hall was unlikely to be successful from the start of the window, as Newcastle do not want to sell the left-back, who has three years remaining on his contract. A large offer, perhaps around £70 million, could test their stance, but that is a huge sum. United now turn to their data-compiled longlist for a suitable alternative.
Jorge Salinas Emerges
Jorge Salinas is an interesting name that has cropped up. The 19-year-old plays for Racing de Santander, who won La Liga 2 last season to secure promotion to the Spanish top flight. Salinas made 34 appearances in an impressive campaign and caught the eye of British scouts when he starred at the Under-19 European Championship in Wales earlier this summer.
United have signed players from similar tournaments in the past, such as Sekou Kone after his performances at the Under-17 World Cup and Cristian Orozco after helping Colombia reach the final of the U17 South American Championship. However, those players were signed for the academy, while Salinas is further ahead in his career after excelling at senior level.
Release Clause and Fit
Salinas is said to have a €16 million (£13.7 million) release clause at Racing, making him available for a fraction of Hall's cost. He would be a clear deputy to Luke Shaw, who started all 38 Premier League games last season and showed no signs of decline. Shaw's body cannot cope with two games per week, but his performances indicate he does not need to be replaced outright.
Hall is seen as the perfect heir to Shaw, the dream long-term successor, but having two starting left-backs could cause friction. Salinas would not expect the lion's share of starts in comparison, and there are plenty of minutes to go around. He could stake a claim over time to be first choice, but Shaw would continue to be the No.1 in his position.
Barcelona have also been linked to Salinas, who seems destined for a big move. Maybe United should try to lure him to Old Trafford.
