City and Barcelona interested in Colombia defender

 

Manchester City have stepped up their interest in 22-year-old Palmeiras centre-back Yerry Mina but may be thwarted in their pursuit by Barcelona, reports The Daily Mail.

 

Mina, 22, has been in tremendous form since joining the Brazilian side in May and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed in Europe.

 

The Colombia international missed the chance to turn out at the Olympics because of a shoulder injury but he has been in formidable form since returning to first-team action.

 

City have already agreed to sign his Palmeiras teammate Gabriel Jesus in January and now they are interested in the Colombian defender, although Barcelona are understood to have first option to sign him at the end of the season in a deal worth £8.5m.

 

City and Barcelona interested in Colombia defender

 

Of defenders to have made at least 10 appearances in the Brasileirao only Rever (7.47) has garnered a higher rating than Mina this season (7.44). Not only that, but only William Thiego (5) has scored more goals than Mina of defenders (4), despite only making 10 appearances thus far.

 

For more stats on Yerry Mina, click here to visit his WhoScored player page