La Liga club send clear message to Barcelona over defensive target: ‘We were offered €14 million and we said no’

La Liga club send clear message to Barcelona over defensive target: ‘We were offered €14 million and we said no’ Barcelona have been linked with a move for Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas since the start of the summer transfer window. The Spanish teenager saw his stock rise with his performances for his nation at the Under-19 Euros, and more clubs have joined the race for him. Barça and Racing had a disagreement on the value of the release clause in Salinas’ contract before July, with the Catalan club not moving forward since. The versatile defender remains on the Blaugrana’s radar, but the gap between the two clubs has become increasingly difficult to bridge as Racing hold firm on the player’s €16 million release clause. Racing reject €14 million As quoted by SPORT , Racing sporting director Chema Aragon revealed that the club have already turned down an offer worth €14 million for Salinas. “We have already been offered €14 million and we said no,” Aragon said. Barcelona remain keen on Jorge Salinas. (Picture credit: Instagram/@jorgesaliiinas) While Aragon stopped short of confirming which club made that bid, the message was very clear from the Racing director. Aragon reiterated that Racing’s position has not changed. “If someone comes, brings the €16 million and the player likes the club, he will leave,” he explained. Barcelona already have an agreement with Salinas Barcelona have been following Salinas since June and are understood to have an agreement with the player over personal terms. Their initial proposal consisted of €6 million fixed, another €2 million in variables and the possibility of including a player on loan. That was never enough to convince Racing. The Cantabrian club also have no intention of lowering the price by accepting players as part of the deal. “It could be that we are interested in a player, but one thing will have nothing to do with the other. We are not going to mix the two operations,” Aragon said. Salinas has a €16 million release clause. (Picture credit: Instagram/@jorgesaliiinas) Racing could become even tougher Perhaps most importantly for Barcelona, Racing are warning that the price will not fall as deadline day approaches. “Today he is only sold for €16 million. Tomorrow, if we can, for €16.1 million. The closer we get to the end of the market, the more demanding we will be,” Aragon added. It is clear that Racing see exactly how special a player they have in their ranks and want to extract every possible penny from his sale. For Barcelona, meanwhile, spending such a significant amount on a relatively unproven defender might not be a feasible option this summer. Although the Catalan club are keen on signing the 19-year-old, it is unlikely to happen this summer unless the newly promoted club change their tune. If not, Barça should let Salinas stay at his current club and keep track of how he progresses through the course of the season.