Leicester City interested in Barcelona centre-back

Leicester City have submitted a €30 million bid for Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina, according to Spanish newspaper Sport (yes, it’s a unique name).

But Everton and West Ham United want to spice things up, and they have made offers in the same region for the defender who was bought for €10 million from Palmeiras in January.

For those who have forgotten him, Yerry Mina is that Colombian villain who very nearly knocked England out of the FIFA World Cup with his third goal at the tournament; however, it wasn’t enough, as the Three Lions won the round of 16 tie on penalties.

The 23-year old played in all of his side’s four games in Russia, just two less than the number he has so far managed during his time at the Camp Nou. And now he is unlikely to add to it, with Clement Lenglet’s arrival pushing him further down the pecking order.

Shall Leicester City sign him, he’d become Claude Puel’s third defensive signing of the summer (fifth overall) after Ricardo Pereira and Jonny Evans. Mina’s signing could also mean that Evans isn’t necessarily guaranteed a starting place in the side.

The Colombia international is young, agile and has more scope to grow into a top defender, making him an obvious favourite. Given that Ben Chilwell, Pereira and Mina – if signed – start as first choice next season, the average age of the Leicester City defence would roughly be 25, which is exactly what you’d want in the Premier League.

Next: Leicester City targeting former Juventus winger

But there’s a long way to go before Yerry Mina is Fox. For now, he is still only a “rumoured target”.