Why Barcelona should sign Yerry Mina in 2018

Yerry Mina has been heavily linked with Barcelona in recent times. The 22-year-old centre-back, who has excelled for both Palmeiras and Colombia in recent times, is rumoured to be joining Barca in the summer — the summer of 2018, that is.

Given the huge role Mina is bound to play for Colombia in the biggest international tournament in football, the Barca board believe it is best for the young defender to stay in his current club until then. As per sport.netbet.co.ukLos Cafeteros are currently 28/1 favourites to win the World Cup in 2018 and their limited chances of success would only increase if Mina’s form and confidence is exceptional when it truly matters.

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Barcelona reportedly agreed an option to bring Mina from Palmeiras to the Camp Nou for a €9 million back in October 2016. However, the Barca board believe that the 195cm Colombian should remain in his current club until the end of the 2018 World Cup, to be played in Russian next summer.

The almost certain departure of Jeremy Mathieu, promotion of Marlon Santos and potential lesser role that Javier Mascherano will play will all be elements that newly-appointed Ernesto Valverde will need to address before Barcelona kick their season off. Depending on how the former Athletic Bilbao manager feels about the squad once he assesses their performances in training, it is likely that he becomes even more insistent in adding defensive power to his Barcelona team. Undoubtedly, Mina would become an even more urgent priority if that happened.

I must admit I am really looking forward to Samuel Umtiti continuing to strengthen his partnership with Gerard Pique. Considering Valverde’s proven record when promoting youngsters in his previous clubs, I am also hopeful to see Marlon taking any opportunities that come his way with both hands and moving ahead of Mascherano in the pecking order.

Having said that, I believe that Mina would undoubtedly be a welcome addition to Barca’s back-line, regardless of when his transfer is eventually completed.

Mina played an instrumental role to lead Palmeiras to their first Campeonato Brasileiro victory in over 20 years — being named the best centre-back in the domestic league in the process. Countless managers would love to have such a young, skilled, physically imposing centre-back as an option for selection, and Valverde will certainly not be an exception.

With that in mind, it is perhaps best for Mina to continue his development at Palmeiras, excel for Colombia in the 2018 World Cup and only move to Barcelona once he has truly established as the commanding defender he has the potential to be for club and country.