Barcelona's pursuit of Racing Santander left-back Jorge Salinas has hit a snag, with Manchester United entering the frame with a €20m bid for the 19-year-old defender.
Manchester United have serious interest in Salinas, who is their main alternative to Newcastle United's Lewis Hall, the top target for manager Michael Carrick at the position. If United fail to land Hall, they are prepared to trigger Salinas' €16 million release clause and bring the youngster in to compete with Luke Shaw for the starting job.
Barcelona's main obstacle in the negotiations has been the €16 million release clause, which they want to pay only €6 million and include La Masia prospects as part of the deal. Racing Santander, however, want the full amount of the release clause in cash.
The Spanish club sees Salinas as a future project, but losing him would not be the end of the world. They have recently signed Jesse Bisiwu, a player who, like Salinas, has won a major international tournament with Spain's under-19 team.
Manchester United's interest in Salinas could be a significant development for both the player and the club. If they succeed in signing him, it would be a major coup for Carrick, who is rebuilding the team after a disappointing season.
Racing Santander, meanwhile, are in a strong position to negotiate with Barcelona. They have already received a €16 million offer from United, and it remains to be seen whether they will accept a lower offer from the Catalan club.
Barcelona's pursuit of Salinas is not a priority, but they are still hoping to reach a deal with Racing before other clubs swoop in. The player's value is expected to increase if he continues to perform well, making it essential for Barcelona to secure his signature.
As the transfer saga unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see which club emerges victorious in the battle for Salinas' signature. Will Manchester United's €20m bid be enough to convince Racing Santander to sell, or will Barcelona find a way to negotiate a deal that suits both parties? The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of the talented young defender.
Source: Yahoo Sports