Everton reach agreement with Barcelona for the centre-back

The Toffees are on course to complete a third signing of the summer by roping in the defender from Barcelona.

Reports have surfaced that Everton have reached an agreement with Barcelona for Colombian defender Yerry Mina as the fee is rumored to be upto £28 million. Catalan daily Sports also reports that Mina would be signing a five-year deal with the Toffees, becoming the third signing of the summer under new manager Marco Silva.

Yerry Mina only signed for the Blaugrana in January for €11.8 million from Brazilian side Palmeiras, but was largely disappointing. He was also completely out of sorts in the 5-4 loss to Levante that ended Barcelona’s unbeaten run in the league, although the 23-year old did come up trumps for Colombia at the World Cup with three goals. With James Rodriguez injured, Mina proved to be the unlikely source of goods and bailed his team out on numerous occasions to play a starring role.
That has helped him attract new suitors as the Toffees has reportedly made him a huge target after his exploits in Russia. Sky Sports reporter Alan Myer was found quoting that a deal isn’t struck yet, but Everton’s friendly relations with Barcelona would eventually foster a move. And lately, it’s suggested that an agreement has been reached between the two parties.

TRANSFER RUMOUR:

According to SPORT, Everton have finally agreed a deal with Barcelona to sign Yerry Mina for a 28.5m transfer fee.

Yerry Mina has agreed personal terms with Everton and will sign a 5 year contract.

Thoughts blues? pic.twitter.com/O4Cvm6Yrgm

— Toffee TV ??????????????? (@ToffeeTVEFC) August 5, 2018

Everton successfully fend off challenges from league rivals Manchester United and French outfit Lyon, who too expressed interest in signing Mina. The Red Devils were embroiled in a tiff with Mina’s adviser Felipe Russo, who refused to budge in on the extra payments involving him and the player when United’s Matt Judge got in cahoots with him to settle a verbal agreement. However, this stalled Mina’s move to the Old Trafford, and Everton were quick to swoop in as he’s now on his way to the Goodison Park instead.
Mina joins Richarlison and Joao Virginia as the new recruits, as Everton prepare to dawn on a new era under Silva.

Author’s Take:

Mina couldn’t have settled in Spain, but his World Cup heroics showed his immense talent. Also with the promise of more first-team opportunities, maybe we’ll get to see more of the Mina we saw in Russia.