Everton lodge Yerry Mina interest as Toffees open talks with Barcelona over Colombian defender
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Yerry Mina could leave Barcelona this summer with Everton opening talks over a possible deal for the Colombian centre-back.
Mina, 23, was a stand-out performer at the heart of the Colombian defence during a World Cup campaign which ended in penalty shoot-out defeat by England last night.
He became the first defender to score a goal in each of his first three World Cup matches in the tournament's history, including the late equaliser which forced England into extra-time of their Round of 16 match, report Liverpool Echo.
He has struggled to force his way into the Barcelona starting line up since signing from Palmeiras in January and sources in Spain say Barca are willing to let him go.
(Image: REUTERS)
With Seville's Clement Lenglet already lined up as a replacement and a deal in place to sign Gremio midfielder Arthur Melo, Barcelona would need to free up a non-EU place in their squad.
Barca may prefer a season-long loan rather than a permanent deal and Everton would be open to that idea.
The Catalan giants paid €11.8m for Mina but insisted on a buyout clause in his five-year contract of €100m.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Asked about his future after last night's World Cup exit Mina said: "In my head right now, I am thinking about returning to Barca.
"Now's not the moment to talk about my future, but the World Cup has helped me rediscover myself and reaffirm myself as a footballer.
"God gave me my talent. What I need is to always play to the best of my ability and enjoy my football. After that, I'm always calm and I trust God."
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Everton need defensive reinforcements with Ramiro Funes Mori having left the club and Ashley Williams' future uncertain - and Mina is a player that Blues Director of Football Marcel Brands and manager Marco Silva both admire.
Mina scored nine goals in 49 appearances for Palmeiras in Brazil and in his first season with the Brazilian team he was chosen as the best centre back of the Campeonato Paulista in 2017.
Reports linking Everton with a deal for Rennes' Albanian defender Ramy Bensebaini, meanwhile, are premature.