Barcelona in race against time to sign Jorge Salinas

Barcelona are working to secure their second signing of the summer under manager Hansi Flick. Following the arrival of Anthony Gordon, the Catalan giants have turned their focus toward 19-year-old Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas. The club is currently leading the race for the teenager, overcoming interest from Premier League and domestic rivals due to the player's preference for a move to the Camp Nou.

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has facilitated the talks, informing Barcelona that the defender's current release clause is set at €8 million. With a verbal agreement already in place, club decision-makers view the transfer as a high-value opportunity and are looking to finalize the deal quickly.

Salinas impressed during his breakout season in the Spanish second tier, contributing seven assists across 33 appearances while demonstrating versatility across defensive positions. Hansi Flick intends to integrate the Spain Under-19 international directly into the first-team squad for pre-season.

The club faces a critical deadline of June 30, as the player's release clause will increase to €16 million on July 1. Sporting director Deco is reportedly looking to include a reserve player on loan to the Cantabrian side to help structure the transaction. Securing this deal will allow the recruitment team to shift their focus toward signing a new elite centre-forward following the departure of Robert Lewandowski.