Lack of European football is certain to affect Marco Silva’s transfer plans at Everton. However, it does not seem to have made a difference in their scouting policy, as they continue to be linked with some of the finest stars in Europe. The manager is desperate to improve certain areas of the squad and one name he wants, to upgrade his backline, is Barcelona star Yerry Mina.
The 23-year old started his senior career in his home country, Colombia, but only made a name for himself after he moved to Brazil with Santa Fe. He had a superb domestic campaign in Primera A in 2016, also breaking into the Colombian national side. He soon earned rave reviews from all around Europe and earned himself a move to Catalan giants Barcelona just this January.
Mina moved to Camp Nou for just €11.8m and was expected to be a long-term replacement for Gerrard Pique, who is now 31. However, he managed just four league starts this year in Spain and is now worried about his playing time in Catalonia.
Barcelona have Samuel Umtiti and have also added Clement Lenglet this summer, leaving Mina with even fewer chances of breaking into the first team next season. So it does not come as a surprise that the Spanish giants are happy to let him leave this summer.
Mina managed to improve his stock value, with some superb performances at the back for his national side in the World Cup recently in Russia. He scored three goals in the competition, taking his side to the Round of 16, and has really established himself in the European circuit.
He has been on Everton’s radar for quite a while now and reports suggest that the Toffees have offered €17m for his services and that Barcelona now have the final say in the player’s future.
A dominating centre-back, who is effective at both ends of the field, Mina a beast of a defender, who loves to impose himself inside his box. He rarely misses anything thrown at him in the air and is also smart in stepping up to make interceptions, making him a perfect fit for the English game.
Everton wants him to replace Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams, both of whom can only be backup options at the club next season. However, they now face competition from France as reports suggest that Lyon has joined the race for Mina’s signature.
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At just 23, the Colombian is a bright prospect and the lure of Champions League football puts the French side in a stronger position. But Everton should not give up and should do all it takes to land a player, who is now touted as one of the best young defenders in Europe at the moment.
