Man United ‘ready to do something Barcelona are refusing’ after £20m transfer agreement

Manchester United have already added six new faces to Michael Carrick’s squad this summer, but the club continues to be linked with a host of names

Manchester United are reportedly ready to swoop for Jorge Salinas – as Barcelona are unwilling to pay his release clause. Salinas, 19, came through the ranks at Real Racing Club de Santander before making his first-team debut back in 2024.

He has since established himself as one of the most talented young defenders in Spanish football and has been linked with both Barca and United. However, while the Reds, according to Spanish publication SPORT, are willing to pay Salinas’ €16m (£14m) release clause, Barca have no intention of doing so.

But the report, via Sport Witness, also claims that Atletico Madrid are waiting for Matteo Ruggeri to complete a move to Aston Villa before making a move for Salinas. It is claimed that Villa have agreed an €18m plus €6m bonuses deal, which works out at £20m, with Los Rojiblancos for Ruggeri.

But despite the continued speculation around Salinas’ future, Racing boss Jorge Salinas claimed earlier this week that the defender, along with Gustavo Puerta, don’t want to leave the club this summer.

He said: “Their professionalism doesn’t surprise me. What surprises me is that people are constantly talking about the departure of two of our players [Salinas and Puerta], when they have contracts and are our players.”

Before he added: “They’re very important to us. I don’t want them to leave. And they show every day that they don’t either.

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“But we know how this world works and there are release clauses. If a team comes along and pays the clause, they cease to be our players.”

Speaking last week, Racing sporting director Chema Aragon made similar comments, but he did admit that his club would be powerless if a ‘giant’ such as United and Barca came in with a significant bid for Salinas.

“There’s little you can do if a giant appears,” Aragan said. “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.”