Everton are reportedly set to sign Yerry Mina in a €32 million deal, beating Manchester United in pursuit of the Barcelona defender
According to a report by Sport, Everton have reached an agreement with Barcelona over a €32 million deal for Yerry Mina. The Colombian defender, who was also heavily linked with Manchester United, will sign a five-year contract with the Toffees when he completes his move to Goodison Park.
Yerry Mina arrived at Barcelona from Palmeiras earlier this year in January, hoping to be the long-term successor to Gerard Pique at Camp Nou. But, things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the player, who managed to rack up just six appearances with the Blaugrana in the second half of the 2017-18 season.
To make matters worse, with Clement Lenglet arriving at Camp Nou, it became abundantly clear that Mina’s prospects will take a further hit. But, his Barcelona stint effectively came to an end after the Catalans signed Arturo Vidal, Arthur and Malcom this summer. With the player all but set to be sold, Manchester United and several other clubs were alerted to his availability.
Manchester United’s eagerness to sign a centre-back this summer has been well documented. Jose Mourinho is keen on solidifying his backline, with his current defensive unit not being convincing enough. To that end, several defenders, including Yerry Mina, have been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
But, the pursuit of the Colombian defender was complicated after his agent Felipe Russo changed the player’s wage demands, having initially agreed terms with Manchester United. The Red Devils have since pulled the plug on the deal for Mina, which has given the impetus to Everton to swoop him away instead.
The Toffees do seem to be in desperate need of a new centre-back. Ramiro Funes Mori and Ashley Williams have both departed from Goodison Park this summer, the latter on a temporary deal. That leaves Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka are the only two recognised options at Marco Silva’s disposal, with Mason Holgate and Matthew Pennington too inexperienced.
Yerry Mina has thus, been a viable target for Everton, who can add a pacy defender in the Colombian. The Toffees have reached an agreement with Barcelona over a €32 million deal to sign the former Manchester United target, who will pen a five-year contract at Goodison Park.
Mina will follow former Barcelona teammate Lucas Digne to Everton, and Marco Silva will now hope the duo can be the solution his side needs, after being porous at the back last season. Manchester United, on the other hand, have no room to slack, if they are to sign a centre-back before the August 9 deadline.
