OPINION
Everton will be on high alert after it emerged that the Toffees’ transfer target Yerry Mina is heading for crunch talks with his club Barcelona, according to the Daily Mail via Colombian outlet Antena 2.
The Colombian, who scored in his country’s Last 16 defeat to England at the World Cup, will soon sit down with Barcelona to resolve his future, his representative and brother Jair Mina has stated.
Mina also confirmed the Everton interest, saying: “Everton are one club that have insisted in signing him – they have called us directly. There are other sides, like Zenit, but we hope Barça take the initiative. He wants to play and he wants to play at Barça.”
Marco Silva’s side have been credited with a move for the towering centre back for weeks, and they cannot afford to let a deal slip through their fingers, with Zenit St. Petersburg reportedly lurking.
The signing of Mina, if it were to be completed, would be an excellent move for Everton. It’s no secret that Michael Keane’s first season at Goodison Park wasn’t exactly plain sailing, while Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka aren’t getting any younger – centre-back is a position of need for the Toffees.
Mina would immediately come in and give Everton immense physicality at the back, as well as the tremendous goal threat from set pieces that he displayed at the World Cup. At just 23-years-old Mina would represent an investment in the future, as well.
While Everton’s interest in Mina was acknowledged by the player’s representative, there was also plenty in these reports to suggest the Colombian’s ideal home remains the Nou Camp. Whether the Catalans can offer Mina the kind of first team football he’s looking for, however, remains to be seen.
Obviously Everton cannot affect the outcome of Mina’s talks with Barcelona, but with Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti firmly entrenched as the first choice pair at the back, it seems unlikely that Mina will get the reassurances he wants.
If Barcelona decide to sell then Mina could very well be on his way to Merseyside, but at this moment in time the ball is very much in the Spanish champions’ court.
However, Everton should be prepared to act decisively if Mina’s relationship with Barcelona breaks down. The player knows they are interested, so Silva should do whatever it takes to bring him to the club.