Manchester United have shifted their left-back recruitment focus after Newcastle United made clear that Lewis Hall will not be leaving the club this summer.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie confirmed that Newcastle rebuffed a United enquiry and informed the Red Devils that Hall’s departure will not be sanctioned under any circumstances.
Newcastle’s firm stance comes amid a summer of significant outgoings at Tyneside, including the departures of Eddie Howe, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Kieran Trippier.
Left-back cover has been identified as a pressing priority by United’s recruitment staff, with Luke Shaw currently the only recognised natural option available to the club in that position.
Football FanCast sources understand that Manchester United are now ready to meet the release clause in Jorge Salinas’ Racing Santander contract, worth €16million, or approximately £13.7million.
Barcelona had long-standing interest in the 19-year-old, with sporting director Deco viewing him as a versatile option capable of playing both left-back and centre-back, but the Catalan club have so far refused to pay the increased clause.
Barcelona’s reluctance has created an opening for both United and Atletico Madrid, with the Red Devils understood to be preparing a formal offer to trigger the clause outright.
Racing Santander sporting director Chema Aragon has been clear about the club’s position, stating: “He has a contract with us, as you know. So, if they don’t bring the release clause, you know what will happen. We value the assets we have.”
Aragon added: “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 with an offer.”
Salinas is reported to prefer a move to Barcelona over a switch to the Premier League, but sources believe United now have a genuine pathway to completing the deal given Barcelona’s continued hesitation.
The teenager was a standout performer for Racing Santander as they won the Segunda Division title last season, contributing seven assists as a flying left-back while also being capable of filling in at centre-back at six feet tall.
Salinas has represented Spain at youth level across Under-17, Under-18, and Under-19 competitions, and notably won the European Championship at Under-19 level, highlighting his considerable pedigree.
He signed a contract with Racing Santander running until June 2029 only last year, making a successful release clause trigger a notable coup for whichever club acts first.
Elsewhere at Old Trafford, Joshua Zirkzee looks set to depart on loan, with Juventus registering concrete interest in the Dutch forward after his difficult debut Premier League season.
Zirkzee managed just 610 minutes across 24 Premier League appearances last season, starting only five times as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko were all preferred ahead of him.
United previously fielded contact from AS Roma over a deal for the 25-year-old, though that move never materialised, and the club is now open to allowing him to leave temporarily.
Zirkzee’s former youth coach Ferry Verbeek told TuttoJuve: “I’d almost say it’s bound to happen! He’s at the peak of his maturity; Juventus would be a better fit for him than Manchester United.”
Verbeek added: “If he can’t do it at his next club, reaching the top will become increasingly difficult. And that would be a shame, because he has the ideal foundation to become a top-level footballer.”