Manchester United rule out £13.7m Salinas move as Atletico deal collapses on deadline day

Manchester United will not pursue a deadline-day move for Racing Santander left-back Jorge Salinas, despite the 19-year-old’s anticipated transfer to Atletico Madrid collapsing, according to reports. United had monitored the Spanish teenager across the summer but are unwilling to trigger his €16 million (£13.7m) release clause.

Salinas had been widely expected to join Atletico on deadline day, only for that deal to break down. Diego Simeone’s side have since shifted their attention to loan options, with Lyon’s experienced left-back Nicolas Tagliafico among the names under consideration. Wolves defender Hugo Bueno is also reportedly on Atletico’s radar.

United’s reluctance to move for Salinas centres on his limited senior experience. The teenager has made just three La Liga appearances for Racing this season, with the bulk of his 35 senior outings coming in Spain’s second tier — a profile that does not match the club’s immediate needs.

Racing Santander have already moved to address the potential departure by signing 29-year-old Spanish left-back Aaron Martin from Genoa on deadline day, which could yet open the door for Salinas to leave the club. United, however, are not expected to be his destination.

Instead, United’s priority at left-back has been a short-term loan signing, with a more thorough overhaul of the position pencilled in for next summer. Lewis Hall had been their primary target throughout the window, but Newcastle United showed no willingness to sell the 21-year-old England international, effectively ending that pursuit.

With the window closing, United appear set to enter the next phase of the season without the left-back reinforcement they had been seeking.