Jorge Salinas: Man United in talks to sign Racing Santander speedster with price already set | OneFootball

Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of Racing Santander full-back Jorge Salinas, according to an inside source.

Left-back is a priority

As the Red Devils prepare for a return to the Champions League next season, INEOS are intent on signing a new left-back to provide competition – and a potential successor – to Luke Shaw.

The 31-year-old veteran started every Premier League match last year, a rare feat in a career blighted by injuries. There is acceptance that he will not be able to match this next season, however, meaning Michael Carrick will need an alternative to be able to call upon.

Patrick Dorgu’s reinvention as a winger looks set to continue after the 21-year-old Denmark international notched three goals in three starts on the left-hand side of attack once Carrick took the reins in January.

Meanwhile, Harry Amass is primed for an exit from Old Trafford, either on loan or permanently. An asking price of £6 million has been reported, though his impressive performances in pre-season make a temporary departure more likely.

A new signing at left-back is essential, therefore – with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal the two prime targets. A deal for either England international would be difficult and expensive to pull off, however.

Shopping Abroad

With £85 million already spent on upgrading midfield through Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, and another £65 million bid made for Brighton & Hove Albion enforcer Carlos Baleba, Manchester United’s budget will struggle to secure a Premier League-proven left-back.

But on the continent, it would be a different story, where England’s financial might can stretch much further – which explains why Salinas is rapidly rising up the ranks for the Red Devils.

Fresh from winning the Segunda Division with Racing Santander and propelling Spain to success in the Under-19 European Championship, the 19-year-old defender’s stock is sky high. Both Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona are understood to be circling, with a €16 million (£13.7 million) release clause removing the need for negotiations.

The 19-year-old is predominantly a left-back, notching seven assists last season. However, he is also capable of playing at centre-back, or even inverting into central midfield, such is his technical and tactical quality.

A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed Salinas was one of the leading alternatives to Hall for the Red Devils. Scouts had delivered glowing reports on the Santander native, believing he would be able to “step up to first-team football” at Old Trafford immediately.

Now, a well-placed source has claimed INEOS have held talks with Salinas’ representatives, with the data team having greenlit him as a target. RB Leipzig captain David Raum – who played with Benjamin Sesko in Germany – is another candidate on the list.

Tweet: “#MUFC have held discussions with the player side of Jorge Salinas. Data team rate him highly and seen as a high potential player. David Raum also on the list and liked. United assessing all LB options even after Carlos Baleba deal advances.”

Final Thoughts: The Peoples Person Reliability Assessment

Overall credibility: 6/10 Why?

  Jorge Salinas has been widely reported as a target for Manchester United.   The decision to spend big on Carlos Baleba makes the pursuit of a cheaper option at left-back a likely development.   It makes sense to hold talks with Salinas’ representatives to gauge his desire for a switch, given there is no need to negotiate a fee. Sully is a reliable source for injury updates at Old Trafford, but has a mixed history with transfer news. No official confirmation of offers or interest from the Red Devils.