Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the capture of Yerry Mina, with chief negotiator Matt Judge in Barcelona to conclude a deal this week.
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United have switched their attention from Harry Maguire to Yerry Mina, who is now their priority. The Red Devils have sent their chief negotiator Matt Judge to Barcelona in a bid to reach an agreement over the Colombian defender’s transfer this week.
The going has been tough for Yerry Mina since he switched allegiances from Palmeiras to Barcelona earlier this year in January. The player managed just six appearances across all competitions in half-a season. With Barcelona eyeing new recruitments this summer, the Colombian international has been deemed to be expendable, with a view to clearing up a non-EU slot.
After a strong campaign at the 2018 FIFA World Cup though, Mina has become a hot property in the transfer market, with the bulk of the interest coming from the Premier League. While mid-table and lower mid-table clubs like Everton and Wolves have been heavily linked with him, Manchester United seem to have become the front-runners to sign him from Barcelona this summer.
The Red Devils have been in the market for a centre-back for the third successive summer. For a long time, Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld were believed to be the priority targets for Manchester United. But, the prohibitive prices for both defenders has seen the club cool their interest in the duo.
Having to turn their attention elsewhere at this late juncture of the window, Yerry Mina has emerged as a viable alternative for Manchester United. The Premier League heavyweights have now sent chief negotiator Matt Judge to Barcelona to reach an agreement over a possible £35 million deal for the Barcelona outcast.
Judge will also set up a meeting with Mina’s agent Felipe Russo in order to agree personal terms as well. With Barcelona willing to sell the player, Manchester United and Judge should be confident of securing a deal this week, especially with the Blaugrana dropping their initial £44 million valuation of the player.
Mina is also aware of Manchester United’s interest in him, which has seen him rebuff Everton and Wolves. At the moment, it looks highly likely that the Red Devils and Barcelona will reach an agreement over a deal for Yerry Mina.
But, only time will tell if he turns out to be an upgrade over the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo – the very reason of Manchester United’s pursuit of a centre-back this summer. For now, it looks like Yerry Mina is set to leave Barcelona after just six months.
