Ex-Everton striker Marcus Bent has expressed concerns over rumours linking centre-half Yerry Mina with an exit from Goodison Park.
Amid links with Napoli and Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Mina could be the victim of a transfer cull as Carlo Ancelotti’s side looks to bolster their defensive options.
Serie A outfits Inter Milan and Fiorentina both said to be interested in the Colombia international’s services if an exit is sanctioned.
With 25 games under his belt when fit this season, Mina has been relied upon by Ancelotti frequently and Bent is unsure if he is the right player to let go.
Speaking to FootballFanCast, the ex-Toffees forward claimed:
“It would be a big loss because he is one of the bigger players within the team. Again, we’d have to replace him. Have we got the money? Yeah, I think we’ve got a little bit of money to spend, but how much?
“You’ve got to pay the wages to attract these players. I think that’s been Everton’s problem over the years.”
In relation to his positional peers in some of Europe’s top leagues, Mina ranks in the top 25% for average clearances and aerials won per 90 minutes at 5.86 and 3.27 respectively.
He even manages 0.09 goals per 90 minutes with two efforts to his name this season in an indication that Mina is a reliable aerial threat from set pieces, as much as he is a robust defensive presence.
With a pass completion rate of 90.2%, Mina fits the bill of a modern, dynamic centre-half that adds plenty of differing qualities to Ancelotti’s side.
As a result, Bent’s unease with rumours of his departure is lent some credence by his underlying statistics.
In other news: Journalist fears for the future of one Everton midfielder