Racing Santander sporting director Chema Aragon has opened the door for Manchester United to sign Jorge Salinas, admitting the club would be powerless if a ‘giant’ comes in for the young defender.
United have focussed their attentions on landing a left-back having strengthened Michael Carrick’s midfield options with the addition of both Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans summer.
Lewis Hall emerged as the Red Devils’ primary target for the role at the start of the transfer window, with Old Trafford bosses determined to bring in support and competition for Luke Shaw.
However, Newcastle have reportedly ruled out a move for Hall before the transfer deadline, insisting the 21-year-old England international is not for sale and will be a key player going forward under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
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It means United have been forced to scour the market for alternatives, namely Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Racing Santander’s Salinas.
Salinas only has one full year of first-team football under his belt but is considered one of the brightest young talents in Spain having played an instrumental role in Racing Santander promotion-winning season last term.
La Liga champions Barcelona have been credited with a strong interest in Salinas for some time and reports last week claimed United were also ‘very serious’ about signing the 19-year-old as a plan B to Hall.
‘There’s little you can do if a giant appears,’ Racing Santander chief Aragan said when quizzed on the rumours surrounding Salinas.
‘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.’
United have indicated they are prepared to pay Salinas’ €16m (£13.7m) release clause in full should they give up hope of signing Hall this summer.
And with rumours swirling over Salinas’ future, Aragon confirmed that Racing Santander would be doing everything in their power to convince the youngster to stay put.
But he admitted the situation would be ‘complicated’ should a ‘significant’ bid come in for the teenager.
‘Hopefully he stays. It would be our dream,’ he added.
‘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.’
United have been keeping close tabs on Salinas for some time and were especially enamoured by his performances at this summer’s European Under-19 Championship, where Spain emerged triumphant.
Despite his tender years, United’s hierarchy are confident Salinas would be able to join up with Carrick’s first-team immediately to compete with Shaw for minutes at left-back.
Salinas’ current contract with Racing Santander is not due to expire until June 2029.
The teenager made his senior Racing Santander debut back in 2024 and has gone on to make 37 appearances in all competitions for Racing Santander, while chipping in with seven assists.
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