Manchester United are poised to make an opening bid for Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall following Eddie Howe’s departure from St James’ Park, while also monitoring Racing Santander’s promising defender Jorge Salinas. The pursuit of Hall has been a priority for United, with the club viewing the change in management at Newcastle as a potential opportunity to secure the 20-year-old.
Technical director Jason Wilcox is reportedly a key advocate for Hall, appreciating his versatility as both a traditional full-back and an inverted defender. United are prepared to offer around £60 million for the England international, though negotiations are expected to be challenging. Hall himself is understood to be receptive to a move to Old Trafford.
Alongside the pursuit of Hall, United are also exploring alternatives, with Jorge Salinas emerging as a leading candidate. The 19-year-old Salinas recently starred for Spain in their UEFA European Under-19 Championship victory, further enhancing his reputation after helping Racing Santander achieve promotion to LaLiga. He is considered a prized asset at Racing, though his future remains uncertain.
However, United face significant competition for Salinas, with Barcelona currently leading the race. Talks between Barcelona and Racing Santander have stalled over the transfer fee, with Racing demanding €16 million and Barcelona offering €8 million. Atletico Madrid have also expressed interest, but United have now entered the fray, impressed by scouting reports on the teenager. United’s recruitment staff believe Salinas is capable of making an immediate impact in first-team football.
Interestingly, Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde also remains on United’s radar, potentially offering another option should the pursuit of Salinas prove unsuccessful. For now, though, the focus remains on securing Hall, with the club hopeful of capitalizing on the evolving situation at Newcastle and adding a key piece to their squad before the transfer window closes.
