Reports suggest that Boca Juniors have joined West Ham United and Everton in the hunt for Barcelona’s Colombian defender Yerry Mina.
It is an interesting offer, too, with €5m being offered for a 12-month loan and then a further €10m for a permanent purchase in a year.
That offer is unlikely to grab the attention of Barcelona very hard, especially considering reports that West Ham United have offered €30m to sign the player right now, but it is not the Catalans Boca are trying to entice here.
Mina was one of the best defenders in South America at Palmeiras and the idea of returning to his home continent must be an appealing one to him when a club like Boca is interested.
His unsuccessful six-month spell with Barcelona may have shown him that European football is not what he thought it was, even if he hoped it would be the making of him, but that is where the third part of Boca’s offer comes in.
The Argentines are reportedly prepared to put a €30m release clause in his contract, should they permanently sign him.
And there is his get-out: Should Mina move back to South America, Boca are willing to give him the opportunity to change his mind and give Europe a second chance, for the exact fee he would command right now.
The move to Boca does not look like a risk for Mina, but can West Ham and Everton say the same? Boca’s move may just force their hands here to offer something similar if they want to tempt him to England.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
