Yerry Mina and Michael Keane are unlikely to have much of a future at Goodison Park with 90Min claiming that Premier League strugglers Everton are ready to ‘move on’ from the defensive duo.
While Kevin Thelwell deserves major credit on the back of some serious coups in the summer transfer market – the likes of Conor Coady, James Tarkowski, Neal Maupay and Amadou Onana major upgrades on those who came before – the nature of last week’s thumping EFL Cup defeat to Bournemouth was a harsh reminder of how much progress still needs to be made.
Handed a rare opportunity by Frank Lampard, so many of Everton’s second-string flopped on the South Coast. Keane and Mina, two defenders who set the club back nearly £60 million, were part of a defence breached four times by a much-changed Bournemouth.
Keane gave the ball away in the build up to one of Bournemouth’s goals, while Mina, arguably Everton’s most dependable centre-half before a series of debilitating injuries took their toll, looked like a man running in treacle at the Vitality Stadium.
Everton look set to move on from Michael Keane and Yerry Mina
If both are sold, it’s unlikely either would be missed all too keenly by many on Gwladys Street. Everton, 90Min say, are likely to listen to offers in 2023. Mina is out of contract in 2023. According to reports from Italy, the one-time Barcelona benchwarmer could join Jose Mourinho’s collection of former Premier League misfits at AS Roma.
Keane, meanwhile, has played just 22 minutes of top-flight football this season. Nottingham Forest and West Ham had approaches batted away over the summer. West Ham could return in January. David Moyes is in the market for defensive reinforcements.
90Min claim that Everton have a ‘long-standing interest’ in Villarreal’s Spain international Pau Torres. And there is little doubt that the £40 million-rated, ball-playing Europa League winner would represent a sizeable upgrade on either Keane or Mina.
Torres’ eye-watering price-tag is likely to represent a significant obstacle, however. As is interest from more well-heeled clubs, such as Chelsea, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur.
“Pau Torres is an amazing player,” former Villarreal coach Unai Emery tells Football London. “I think he’s top. I’ve been a coach at Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre-back like Pau Torres.
“I think he’s going to play at the highest level. He’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon.”
Everton are reportedly keeping tabs on Udinese’s Rodrigo Becao too. The £17 million-rated Brazilian is out of contract in 2024. Udinese are, however, struggling to agree terms on an extension.
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