Barcelona Eye Defensive Reinforcement
Jorge Salinas is the new name appearing on Barcelona's shortlist to bolster the left side of the defense. Barcelona are facing several crises on the left side of defense following the departure of Inigo Martinez in a startling transfer to Al Nassr at the end of the transfer window.
Recent inconsistent performance and recurring fitness concerns of Alejandro Balde are also reasons behind Barcelona's pursuit of a player like Jorge Salinas.
Who Is Jorge Salinas?
The 19-year-old Jorge Salinas has grown through the youth ranks of Racing Santander, and now he is a vital part of the first-team squad competing in the second tier of Spanish football.
Strengths That Fit Barcelona
The teenager offers versatility in the backline with the ability to play as a left back and left-sided center back; however, his recent appearances are majorly in the role of left back due to the attacking qualities the player possesses on the ground.
Salinas is an attack-minded defender who enjoys carrying the ball forward and taking risks in possession. He has good ball control, pace, acceleration, and dribbling ability to thrive in the left-back role. He has energy to run up and down for 90 minutes nonstop.
Salinas is an excellent passer of the ball. He can deliver both long and short passes for his teammates with precision. The quality of his crosses and cutbacks is also outstanding in the player’s traits.
Out of possession, Salinas displays strong positional awareness and defensive discipline. He is a strong player in 1v1 duels using his physical strength and anticipation; players also often win balls with sliding tackles.
Why Deco Likes the Player
Salinas' profile has drawn comparisons to Joško Gvardiol due to his versatility, defensive intelligence, and technical quality on the ball, however, there is room for improvement for Salinas in both attacking and defensive phases.
€8m Release Clause Adds Appeal
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Salinas has a release clause of €8m on his contract with Racing Santander, and the player is keen on the move to Barcelona.
The player's name has been on Deco's list since January, but official negotiations are yet to begin for the player.
