Palmeiras defender Yerry Mina has reportedly agreed a deal to sign for Barcelona – though that did not stop West Brom from attempting a shock swoop.
Yerry Mina
It is not often West Brom and Barcelona go head-to-head in the transfer market.
And it is little surprise that, in this once-in-a-blue-moon situation, the La Liga giants are almost certain to come out on top against Tony Pulis’s Midlands based mid-table specialists.
Because Sport claim that Colombian starlet Yerry Mina will join Barcelona in the summer of 2018 for £7.8 million, giving him the chance to continue his development at Palmeiras and cement his place in Jose Pekerman’s national squad ahead of the World Cup in Russia.
The 22-year-old centre-back, who netted twice in front of Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez as Colombia crushed Cameroon 4-0 in a friendly in Getafe, is one of South America’s brightest young talents.
His superb performances inspired Palmeiras to the Brazilian Serie A title last year – an accolade they had not won since 1994.
Baggies or Barca?
But where do West Brom come in? After all, it has been clear for a number of months that Mina would be joining Barcelona eventually, the only question being when.
Well, according to Sport, as reported by SportWitness, The Baggies made an offer of £15 million for Mina in January. The report describes the bid as ‘firm’ but it appears the term ‘ambitious’ may be a little more suitable.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis
Yet, this just goes to show the new-found ambition at The Hawthorns. West Brom may not be the most glamourous club in the Premier League but, bankrolled by wealthy Chinese owners, the club now have genuine hopes of signing players that would previously have appeared well beyond their reach.
And, like Ignacio Camacho and William Carvalho, their bid for Barca-bound Yerry Mina suggests fans can afford to dream.
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