Barcelona’s Colombian centre-back is reported to leave on loan next season, but should he move to Everton rather than Liverpool.
A report from Spanish publication AS on Thursday evening claimed that Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina is set to spend next season on loan at Liverpool, although he might be heading to the wrong club with neighbours Everton a much better fit.
The Colombian international, who moved to Barca from Brazilian side Palmeiras in January, has not been given many opportunities to make his mark at Camp Nou, and it looks like he may need to adapt to European football elsewhere before establishing himself in Spain.
Should that team be Liverpool, though? Anfield does not exactly scream ‘prime-development ground for defenders’ at the moment and it also does not feel suited in the other direction; a 23-year-old on work-experience is not the partner Virgil van Dijk needs if Liverpool want to challenge next year.
Everton, however, could really make something useful out of a player like that. Mina is of undoubted quality and potential – there is a reason Barcelona spent months getting the deal done, after all – and would be far less of a risk for a team looking to rebuild this summer.
There is a chance that Mina could flop massively, of course, although his youth, pace and strength are all things that Everton are crying out for at the back.
There would be regret if Mina arrived and flopped but the worst case is Everton having to try again the following year; something they will likely have to do regardless in their long-term rebuilding project.
On the flipside, Mina could help fix some of the problems that have haunted Toffees fans for years…and for very little money.
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