Transfers
United eye £16 million Salinas move as Intelligent' Hall alternative
Manchester United are weighing a £16 million move for Racing Santander left‑back Jorge Salinas as an alternative to English defender Lewis Hall, after Newcastle United ruled out selling Hall. The deal, highlighted by a £16 million release clause, reflects United’s urgency to secure a left‑sided full‑back before the 2026‑27 Premier League season begins in 11 days.
Newcastle blocks Hall move
Newcastle United have made it clear they will not entertain offers for Lewis Hall and aim to tie the English left‑back down to a new contract. This leaves Man Utd considering other options to provide competition for Luke Shaw, whose backup currently includes centre‑back Noussair Mazraoui and right‑back Diogo Dalot. United’s hierarchy does not view Harry Amass as ready to replace Tyrell Malacia, who departed earlier this summer.
Salinas emerges as £16 m alternative
Laurie Whitwell revealed that Racing Santander’s 19‑year‑old Jorge Salinas is on United’s shortlist, noting his £16 million release clause makes him a cheaper alternative. Whitwell added, "Jorge Salinas is on the list of potential options [alternatives to Lewis Hall at left‑back]. I think he’s got a £16M release clause so he’d be a lot cheaper." Salinas, represented by Jorge Mendes, has been praised by scout Jacek Kulig as “incredibly mature, versatile, intelligent, and complete.”
United’s transfer strategy
INEOS, the club’s owners, are handling the summer window carefully, aiming to avoid overpaying or entering bidding wars at astronomical fees. While still targeting a third midfielder for Michael Carrick’s squad, United see Salinas as a way to add a promising left‑back without inflating costs. Fans have expressed frustration over a perceived lack of business, but the club believes the move aligns with a broader plan to return to the Champions League.
The story was reported by Reuters journalist Jason Cairnduff, written by Matthew Guyett of GiveMeSport. By  Matthew Guyett, Published Aug 10, 2026, 4:35 PM GMT+1, the article notes that Guyett graduated from the University of Essex in 2022 with a Creative Writing degree before joining GiveMeSport as a freelancer in August 2024. He began his career with Sportskeeda in 2022, covering European football for nearly three years, and his work has amassed over 25 million reads.
For United, securing Salinas would provide a cost‑effective left‑back who could rotate with Shaw and potentially develop into a long‑term solution. For the Spain U19 international, the move offers a chance to join a Premier League giant and showcase his abilities on a larger stage, despite interest from Barcelona.