West Ham are in the hunt to sign Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina this summer as Manuel Pellegrini eyes up more additions to his defence, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claims on their website that Everton and Leicester are also interested in the 23-year-old, who impressed at the World Cup for Colombia by scoring three goals in three appearances.
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, the 6ft 4in (transfermarkt) colossus is earning £67,000-a-week on his deal at Barcelona and could be shifted out this summer due to the number of non-EU players that are allowed at La Liga clubs.
Good move for West Ham?
Pellegrini has already added Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena to his defence, but surely Mina is better than both of them and anything that the Hammers already have in their squad.
With Winston Reid ruled out for several months with an injury, Pellegrini needs extra options at centre-back and Mina would be brilliant.
He was perhaps Colombia’s best player at the World Cup. The 23-year-old was solid at the back, hard to beat in the air and was a menace at corners, as England found out in their last-16 clash.
As Barca look as though they would be willing to sell, Mina could be available for a decent fee, however his performances in Russia may have bumped up his price-tag.
This is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
West Ham have already spent a lot of money this summer, breaking their club record transfer twice by signing Diop and now Felipe Anderson.
It’s hard to see this spending spree continue for much longer, but there is a chance that this could happen thanks to Barca’s willingness to sell.
However Everton could be a threat as they are yet to sign anyone and their defence is poor.
This is Futbol rating 4/10