Manchester United are willing to pay Jorge Salinas' release clause, but could face stiff competition from Atletico Madrid for the Racing Santander star's signature. United are in the market to improve their options at full back this summer and are considering alternatives to Newcastle star Lewis Hall.
Failed bid and release clause
Salinas, 19, has already been the subject of a failed bid, with Barcelona unwilling to meet the youngster's release clause. But the Red Devils could take advantage of the Spaniard's availability and are said to be ready to meet Racing's demands as they look to shore up their options.
Chema Aragon, sporting director of Racing, revealed on Tuesday: "A club has offered €14m for Jorge Salinas, and Racing have rejected it. His release clause is €16 million, and the club will not budge from that figure."
Salinas' rise and competition
Salinas made his first-team debut in 2024, having come through the ranks at Racing. The defender provided seven assists across 34 matches last season as the club earned promotion back to La Liga.
United could soon face increased competition from Atletico, however, as they prepare to say farewell to Matteo Ruggeri. The Italian is set to complete a medical with Aston Villa after agreeing personal terms. The Premier League side have agreed a deal worth €25m (£21.35m) plus €1.5m (£1.28m) add-ons. Ruggeri only arrived in the Spanish capital last summer for €17m (£14.52m) plus up to €3m (£2.56m) in bonuses.
Manager's reluctance
His exit provides Atletico with the cash and frees up a squad place for Salinas, meaning United may have to act quickly if they want to land the Spanish under-19s international. Racing Santander manager Jose Alberto is reluctant to lose Salinas and suggested earlier this week that the player does not want to leave. He said: "Their professionalism doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is that people are constantly talking about the departure of two of our players [Salinas and Puerta], when they have contracts and are our players."
"They're very important to us," he added. "I don't want them to leave. And they show every day that they don't either. But we know how this world works and there are release clauses. If a team comes along and pays the clause, they cease to be our players."
United's defensive options
As things stand, Michael Carrick only has Luke Shaw to call upon on the left side of defence. Patrick Dorgu is preferred further upfield, while youngster Harry Amass is expected to depart.
Racing sporting director Aragon has accepted there may be little the club can do should a European giant make a concrete move. "There's little you can do if a giant appears," he said. "We value the assets we have, we consider them important. For the club, at this time, there is no other option than to try to strengthen the team and not weaken it by losing stars. The reality is that the club that wants him has to come along with an offer. Hopefully he stays. It would be our dream. We're going to try everything we can to make it happen, just like we did in the winter with Gustavo Puerta. But it's also true that if significant offers come in, it will be more complicated."
