News Focus
- Barcelona have identified Racing Santander teenager Jorge Salinas as a defensive target
- The versatile 19-year-old has a €10 million release clause in his current deal
- His agent, Jorge Mendes, maintains strong ties with the Catalan club
- Salinas helped Racing achieve promotion to La Liga this season
- He is set to represent Spain at the upcoming UEFA European Under-19 Championship
FC Barcelona are considering a move for Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas. The Catalan giants had initially targeted Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, but that deal has collapsed. Manager Hansi Flick is now exploring cheaper options to improve his defence.
The 19-year-old impressed scouts during the campaign in the Segunda División. Salinas made 33 appearances for Racing and helped the club secure promotion back to La Liga. He contributed seven assists while operating mainly as a left-back.
The youngster is comfortable playing in the centre of defence too. He has featured at centre-half for Spain’s under-19 team, scoring twice in five international matches. He will join the Spain squad for the European Under-19 Championship this summer.
Reports from local Cantabrian media state that Salinas is tied to Racing until 2029. However, any club can trigger his release clause for approximately €10 million. His representative is super-agent Jorge Mendes, who enjoys a close working relationship with Barcelona officials. This connection could prove vital in negotiating the transfer.
Barcelona are not alone in their interest. Several other clubs are monitoring the situation, and Racing may struggle to retain their talent if the buyout fee is met. The Blaugrana view the Spain youth international as an affordable option to add depth to their squad.