Barcelona close to completing their second signing of the summer

Barcelona close to completing their second signing of the summer

class="wp-block-paragraph">Barcelona are close to completing the signing of young Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas, in what would be the club’s second summer arrival.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">According to SPORT, Barça have managed to move ahead of the competition thanks to the player’s desire to wear the Blaugrana shirt.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">The interest around Salinas is widespread. Newcastle, Bologna, PSG, Eintracht Frankfurt, Atletico Madrid, Porto and Bayer Leverkusen have all been linked with the 19-year-old Spaniard.

The clause question is key

class="wp-block-paragraph">The main issue now is the release clause. Racing Santander believe it stands at €8 million, but this is where Barça are looking at options.

Salinas set to join. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

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class="wp-block-paragraph">The club are trying to avoid paying the full amount and are exploring a formula that could include one of the reserve-team players moving to Racing on loan, which may be attractive for the Cantabrian side as they prepare for life in a higher division.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">That is smart from Barça. The club need young defensive talent, but every euro still matters. If they can reduce the cash cost while offering Racing a useful loan piece, this could become a sensible deal for all sides.

A first-team pathway matters

class="wp-block-paragraph">Salinas has accepted the idea of joining Barcelona after learning the club’s plan for him. He would do pre-season under Hansi Flick and receive a first-team licence.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">That matters because Barcelona are not just selling the brand here. They are selling a project to the teenager.

Moving fast in the market. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Salinas is young, left-footed, physically interesting and has already shown that he can contribute in attack, including seven assists this season for Racing.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">His arrival would not mean Barcelona have abandoned their interest in Joao Cancelo. That is important. Cancelo remains a separate operation because of his versatility and immediate starting role.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Salinas would be a different kind of move: a high-upside signing for the present and future. If Barça close it, it will be yet another feather in Deco’s cap as he continues to make waves in this transfer window.