Lyon President Says Yerry Mina Is 'Very Interested' in Move Amid Everton Rumours
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said Barcelona defender Yerry Mina is "very interested" in a move to the club amid speculation a deal had been agreed with Everton for the player.
After Barca landed Clement Lenglet earlier in the window, Mina appears to have dropped further down the pecking order at the Camp Nou, and speculation has gathered pace throughout the summer about a potential move.
On Twitter, Aulas said Lyon are still keen on the Colombian and that he wants the move to the Ligue 1 side:
"I do not think [this] information is accurate," he said of reports Everton had won the race, per Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo. "[Yerry] is still very interested in OL. We all wish it to be Lyonnais, also to play the [Champions] League at the [Groupama Stadium]."
Goal reported on Monday that the Toffees had agreed a £29 million deal with Barcelona. Manchester United were also linked as possible suitors for the Colombian.
However, reports of Mina's imminent move to Merseyside appear to have been overstated if Aulas is to be believed.
Mina only moved to Barcelona in January from Palmeiras, arriving as a replacement for the outgoing Javier Mascherano. During the second half of the 2017-18 season, the defender struggled to show his best and endured a particularly torrid outing in a 5-4 loss to Levante; that was the only game the team lost in La Liga last term.
Journalist Sam Pilger questioned whether Mina is at the level required to make an impression at a massive European club:
The 23-year-old was flat-footed at times, and while his enormous frame gives him an edge in plenty of aerial battles, it also means he's a little slow on the turn. As such, when he is exposed, attackers have breezed past him.
In the World Cup, when he had one of the most dynamic defenders in the game next to him in Davinson Sanchez, Mina appeared to be much more comfortable. He was able to focus on clearing his lines, winning headers and coming out on top in physical battles.
He also showed how much of a threat he can be in the opposition box; he has scored six times in 15 games for Los Cafeteros:
To judge Mina solely on his time at Barcelona would be harsh, as the move likely represented a massive culture shock for the player both on and off the pitch. Given he only made sporadic appearances, it was no surprise he looked rusty too.
At Lyon or Everton, where minutes would be more readily available in a system that won't be geared so much towards attacking, Mina may find life a little easier. After his short stint at Barcelona, this career move feels like a crucial one for the promising defender.
