Barcelona hope to announce their second summer signing next week as personal terms agreed | OneFootball

According to SPORT, Barcelona are aiming to officially complete the signing of Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas next week as sporting director Deco prepares to return from Brazil and oversee the final stages of negotiations.

The Catalan club have already reached a personal agreement with the 19-year-old, leaving only the final details with Racing to be resolved before the transfer can be announced.

Time running out before release clause changes

One of the biggest factors driving the negotiations is the June 30 deadline. If Barcelona activate Salinas’ current release clause before the end of the month, the transfer will cost €8 million.

From July 1 onward, however, that clause is expected to double to €16 million following Racing’s promotion to La Liga.

Rather than simply paying the clause, Barcelona are attempting to negotiate directly with Racing in hopes of reducing the immediate financial impact.

Salinas (R) on his way to Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

One proposal under discussion would see one or more Barcelona academy players move to Racing on loan as part of the agreement, giving the newly-promoted La Liga club additional squad depth while helping facilitate Salinas’ arrival.

A highly rated prospect

Salinas emerged as one of Racing’s standout performers during their promotion-winning campaign, establishing himself as a key figure in defense despite his young age.

His impressive performances attracted interest from several clubs in both La Liga and the Premier League, prompting Barcelona to move quickly before competition intensified.

The club also benefited from the close relationship between Salinas’ representative, Jorge Mendes, and Barcelona’s hierarchy, as well as the player’s own desire to join the Blaugrana.

Deco is expected back in Barcelona in the coming days after his trip to Brazil, where he will resume work on several transfer operations.

Salinas will be in Flick’s plans. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Finalising Salinas’ arrival is one of the top items on his agenda, particularly with clubs such as Villarreal and Atletico Madrid continuing to monitor the defender’s situation.

Despite that interest, Barcelona remain confident they are in pole position to complete the signing.

First-team plans in place

Barcelona view Salinas as more than just a long-term project. The plan is for him to report directly to Hansi Flick during pre-season as part of the first-team squad, giving the German coach an opportunity to evaluate him immediately.

One of Salinas’ biggest strengths is his versatility. Although naturally left-footed, he is comfortable both as a central defender and as a left-back, having played both positions throughout his development.

That tactical flexibility is viewed as an ideal fit for Flick’s system, which relies on defenders capable of operating with a high defensive line, progressing the ball confidently, and contributing to attacking phases.