Highly-rated Palmeiras defender Yerry Mina will stay at the club for the remainder of the year before joining Barcelona in 2018, claims one of the player’s representatives.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Mina in the last 12 months and there were suggestions midway through last season that the La Liga giants had first right of refusal on the centre-back.
However, Ernesto Valverde’s side look to have stepped up their interest in the Colombia international, as Felipe Russo, a representative of Mina, has claimed a deal is now all but agreed for the Palmeiras star to join Barcelona next year.
“He’ll remain in Brazil for the present and then in 2018 he’ll move to play in the Spanish league,” Russo told FCInterNews, via AS. “The deal is practically closed and it’s been a long-term dream of his to play for the Catalan club.
“Why would this breakdown, when it’s a move that ensures the player’s best interests. He’ll stay with Palmeiras for another season as he wants to be in top shape going into the 2018 World Cup. But there are zero possibilities that things will change.”
Mina was part of the Palmeiras squad, that included Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus, that won the Brazilian league title in November 2016 for the first time since 1994.
Only five players average more passes per game in this season’s Brasileirao than Mina (61).
For more stats on Yerry Mina, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
