Aston Villa have tabled a shock bid worth £17.8million for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina, according to Tutto Mercato Web.
The Italian news outlet claims that £8.9million has been offered up front by the Villains, who are being bankrolled by new co-owner Nassef Sawiris.
Even though Sawiris and Wes Edens saved Villa from their financial crisis last month, Villa still have to offload players before signing them to avoid breaking Financial Fair Play rules, but that has not stopped claims from Italy that the Championship club has made a huge offer for 6ft 4in (transfermarkt) colossus Mina.
Spanish news outlet Marca has previously reported that the Colombia international is earning £67,000-a-week on his deal at Barca.
Good move for Aston Villa?
As a footballing move, yes, it is an amazing deal and Mina would be by far and away the best defender in the Championship if Steve Bruce was able to lure him away from Barcelona this summer.
However from a financial point of view, this kind of money being spent is ridiculous.
Sawiris and Edens have a lot of money between them, but that does not mean that they are going to spent huge amounts of cash and threaten the clubs future by breaking FFP rules.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
No way. It is completely bizarre that the people at Tutto Mercato Web could claim this in what is surely one of the most absurd transfer reports of the summer window.
Everton, Manchester United and Wolves have all been linked with Mina this summer after a solid World Cup with Colombia so even if Villa were able to spend such a huge sum of money, a move to the Premier League would be the most likely option for the player.
This is Futbol rating 0/10