Everton name price tag for Mina in bid to raise transfer funds – report
Everton have set an asking price for defender Yerry Mina as they prepare to launch an attempt to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, according to sources in Italy.
The Toffees have reportedly reignited their interest in the Napoli centre-back, who they previously bid for in 2016, with Koulibaly’s agent at the time citing Everton’s offer as being worth £60million. [Liverpool Echo]
TuttoMercatoWeb believe the Blues will launch another attempt this summer with Carlo Ancelotti keen to work with the Senegal international again, having managed him during his time at the San Paolo.
However Everton would need to sell one of their four existing centre-backs before making an offer this summer, and TuttoMercatoWeb claim they have set an asking price of between £17.1million and £21.4million (€20m and €25m) for Mina.
TuttoMercatoWeb further claim that a number of unnamed clubs have already been in contact with Everton to “take information” on the Colombian, who joined the Blues from Barcelona for £27.1million in 2018.
Mina, 26, has featured in 20 Premier League games for Everton this season, starting in all but one of them.
Unfair reflection of worth
Yerry Mina is, at best, an inconsistent defender for Everton, but he’s certainly worth more than the fee touted by TuttoMercatoWeb.
Perhaps Everton’s desire to sell Mina could stem from the Colombian’s hefty wages, with Salary Sport claiming the defender earns £135,000-per-week on Merseyside, behind only James Rodriguez and Andre Gomes.
If so, that could explain why the Toffees are demanding less than they paid for the defender, with Mina having certainly improved as a player over the past few seasons.
Initially Mina was clumsy in possession, making his aerial threat and physicality his only real assets, but he has come on a lot since moving to Merseyside. He’s definitely a more complete but imperfect defender now.
Koulibaly continues to be linked and he continues to feel like an unwise acquisition as he would only satisfy short-term ambition. At almost 30-years old, the Senegal centre-back isn’t a player for the future, so the high price tag just doesn’t seem warranted.
Ancelotti and Marcel Brands have proven though that they know best in the transfer market, so we’ll just have to hold judgement and trust their instincts.
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti has shared an injury update on key Everton duo following the draw with Palace.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.