Manchester United are ramping up their pursuit of left-back reinforcements having missed out on a deal for Lewis Hall, who is set to stay at Newcastle.
Lewis Hall set to stay Newcastle this summer
United had identified Lewis Hall as their primary left-back target this summer, but the Magpies have made their stance clear that former Chelsea starlet is going nowhere. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported the Magpies rebuffed an enquiry and ‘informed’ the Red Devils they will not sanction his departure, following a spree of high-profile exits from Tyneside this summer.
|
Key Newcastle departures |
Note |
|---|---|
|
Eddie Howe |
Stepped down after almost five years in charge, replaced by Matthias Jaissle |
|
Anthony Gordon |
Sold to Barcelona before the World Cup for £69m |
|
Sandro Tonali |
Newcastle’s second-biggest sale in history, joining Spurs for up to £100m |
|
Bruno Guimaraes |
Officially joined Arsenal on Saturday for £75m |
|
Kieran Trippier |
Joined Wolves as a free agent after his contract expired |
It leaves Manchester United back at square one in their search for competition and cover on the left side of defence, an area identified as a priority by the club’s recruitment staff going into the closing weeks of the window, with Luke Shaw currently the only recognised option in the squad. Rather than waiting around for Newcastle to change their mind, United have already moved on and identified an alternative.
United now turning attention to Jorge Salinas
Football FanCast sources understand Manchester United are ready and willing to meet the release clause in Jorge Salinas’ Racing Santander contract, positioning themselves as serious contenders to beat Barcelona to the 19-year-old’s signature.
Salinas’ release clause had originally stood at €8million until the end of June, but has since risen to €16million (£13.7m), a figure Barcelona have so far been unwilling to pay despite their long-standing interest in the player. Barca sporting director Deco rates Salinas highly and views him as a long-term option who can play both left-back and centre-back, but with Alejandro Balde established as Hansi Flick’s first-choice left-back, the La Liga champions have been reluctant to activate the clause having missed out on the cheaper deal.
That hesitancy has opened the door for United and Atletico Madrid, and it is the Red Devils who are preparing an offer to meet the asking price. Racing Santander’s sporting director, Chema Aragon, has made the club’s position clear, insisting that any side wanting to sign the teenager simply needs to trigger the clause.
“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. 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 with an offer.”
Salinas is understood to be giving priority to a move to Barcelona over any interest from the Premier League, but with the Catalan club refusing to budge, sources believe there is now a genuine route for United to get a deal over the line.
|
Player |
Age |
Manchester United’s potential left-back options 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
|
Luke Shaw |
31 |
Played all 38 top flight games last season but has suffered with injuries in the past |
|
Patrick Dorgu |
21 |
Still developing under current management and often used further forward |
|
Diogo Dalot |
27 |
Naturally right-back but has deputised on the left in the past |
|
Jorge Salinas |
19 |
Capable of deputising for Shaw or filling in at centre-back |
Salinas was one of the standout performers for Spain’s Segunda Division title winners last year, racking up seven assists for Racing Santander as a flying left-back, though at 6 feet tall he can also fill in at centre-back.
He has also represented Spain at Under-19 level, winning the European Championship at that age group and earning caps at both Under-17 and Under-18 level previously. He signed a contract with Racing running until June 2029 only last year, underlining how much of a coup it would be to trigger what now looks a remarkably low release clause.
Zirkzee set to leave Old Trafford
While United push forward in defence, they also look set to move a struggling forward on before the window closes, with Joshua Zirkzee’s Old Trafford career appearing to be entering its final days. The Dutchman fell well down the pecking order last season, managing just 610 minutes in 24 Premier League appearances, starting only five times as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were all preferred.
Juventus have registered concrete interest in taking Zirkzee on an initial loan, after Manchester United previously fielded contact from AS Roma over a deal that ultimately never materialised. United are understood to have now opened the door to letting the 25-year-old leave temporarily, though they would ideally prefer to do business on their own terms given Juventus have yet to resolve their own situation with Jonathan David up front.
Zirkzee’s former youth coach, Ferry Verbeek, believes a return to Italian football would suit his old pupil far better than persisting at Old Trafford.
“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 told TuttoJuve. “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.”