- Newcastle United interested in Jorge Salinas
- Defender has a £13.8m release clause
- Salinas could provide cover and competition for Lewis Hall
With Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett departing on free transfers, Newcastle United have a bit of work to do to add numbers to their full-back options.
And Mundo Deportivo report that Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas is on the Magpies’ radar as he continues to earn rave reviews for his performances in the Spanish second tier.
The likes of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are still at the club and are expected to be first choice.
However, Eddie Howe needs other players to provide cover and competition for the duo, which is where Salinas could come in.
So, who is the young Spaniard and how has he fared in his career so far?
All you need to know about Jorge Salinas
Earlier this month, we wrote on Read Newcastle that Salinas could be a potential incoming for the Magpies in the summer transfer window.
Predominantly a left-back, the Spaniard is also capable of deputising at right-back, making him a multi-faceted option.
Salinas pretty much started every game for Racing Santander last season, featuring 34 times across La Liga 2 and Copa del Rey.
His release clause was believed to be in the region of €4m, but with his recent performances, it has now been increased to around €16m.
Salinas has also been linked with a move to Barcelona, with the Catalan giants on the lookout for a defender to deputise for Alejandro Balde.
In fact, there have also been suggestions that Hansi Flick’s side could sign him and loan him back to Santander for the forthcoming season, which would allow him to get regular game time under his belt.
Salinas an intriguing option for Newcastle United
Standing at 183cm tall, the 19-year-old has a build that would allow him to thrive in the Premier League. He is still a teenager and hasn’t finished growing yet, which is another factor to take into consideration.
Obviously, if Salinas is signed, he won’t be expected to start in place of Hall.
However, over the course of the last two seasons, Dan Burn has deputised for Hall and it’s safe to say he isn’t a left-back by trade, as reliable a player as he is.
Having the 19-year-old in the squad would allow Howe to rotate his full-back options, which would, in turn, keep Hall fit and firing for the whole season.
He fizzled out towards the back end of the 2025-26 campaign and ended up being omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was a massive blow for the youngster.
The Scouting App describe Salinas as a mentally strong player, good in 1v1 duels and someone who isn’t afraid to take risks in possession, which are all qualities that bode well with Howe’s philosophy.
The reported asking fee is modest, too, making him one to watch in the summer transfer window.
