Manchester United have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas after seeing an approach for Lewis Hall turned down by Newcastle.
Standard Sport understands that Hall has long had admirers at Man United, and there is strong interest in doing a deal this summer as Michael Carrick seeks to provide competition for Luke Shaw at left-back.
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However, according to Sky Sports, the Magpies have made it clear to Man Utd that the 21-year-old is not for sale in a summer where the club have already lost Anthony Gordan and Sandro Tonali.
Furthermore, with captain Bruno Guimaraes on the verge of completing a £75million move to Arsenal, Newcastle have, understandably, no plans to lose a fourth key player this summer and are said ton have officially rejected an initial enquiry from United for Hall.
As a result, the Red Devils will be forced to turn their attentions to other left-back targets.
Though amid links to Gunners youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, Standard Sport understands that the midfielder - who can operate at left-back - will be not pursued this summer.
That said, it was reported earlier in the week that Man Utd scouts were impressed by Salinas’s performances during the Under-19 European Championships. The versatile defender has three years to run on his contract at Racing and has also attracted interest from Barcelona.
Interest in the 19-year-old has prompted Racing sporting director Chema Aragon to make it clear that Salinas can leave - but only on the condition that the €16million (£13.7m) release clause in his contract is triggered.
“He has a contract with us, as you know,” Aragon said. “So, if they don’t bring the release clause, you know what’s going to happen.”
While United are said to be ready to stump up the cash for Salinas, it was reported that the teenager was prioritising a move to the LaLiga champions.
That said, Spanish outlet SPORT are now reporting that while Barcelona want the 19-year-old, they are not willing to pay his release clause.
As such, United could now be favourites to win the race for the left-back, with Salinas likely to accept a move to Old Trafford if Barca d not follow up their interest.
