Yerry Mina is facing an uncertain future at Premier League strugglers Everton with Brazilian reporter Andre Hernan claiming to have had talks with the defender’s camp.
The consensus among some at Goodison Park is that, when fit, Mina remains the club’s finest central defender. So, at the risk of portraying the former Barcelona youngster as Everton’s very own Ledley King; Mina’s absence has only made the heart grow that little bit fonder.
Sean Dyche’s side have one of the worst defensive records anywhere in the Premier League during 2022/23. Another season in which Mina has missed more games than he’s started. Restricted to just three top-flight appearances either side of a three-month lay-off due to an ankle problem.
Mina has been back on the bench in recent weeks. But with Sean Dyche preferring his former Burnley stalwart Michael Keane alongside another ex-Turf Moor hero in James Tarkowski, what could be Mina’s fifth and final season on Merseyside looks destined to end with a whimper rather than a roar.
Yerry Mina looks set to leave Sean Dyche’s Everton
The £28 million signing from Barcelona is out of contract in July. And Hernan, having discussed the Colombia international’s situation with a source close to Mina, would not be surprised to see the one-time Palmeiras star return to familiar surroundings.
“He became a monster. He became one of the greatest defenders in Brazilian football,” Hernan says of the 28-year-old; a member of the Brazilian Serie A Team of the Season back in 2016.
“I talked to a person who works on a daily basis with Yerry Mina. Several clubs in Brazil have always probed for Mina. And a return to Brazilian football is not ruled out.
“(The source) says that they are dealing with this Everton issue. But Mina does not rule out the Brazilian market.”
Mina’s hefty wages, plus his dreadful injury record, means his departure is likely to be viewed as something of a relief by many within the walls at Goodison Park.
Especially as Everton wrestle with ongoing Financial Fair Play concerns.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, Asmir Begovic, Seamus Coleman and Andros Townsend will also become free-agents.
“Everton have not shown any signs that they want to renew his contract,” reporter Jorge Nicola explained back in December. “Because of the injuries and the very high salary.”
Four months on, Everton’s stance does not appear to have changed.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
