FC Barcelona set to sign Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina, say reports

FC Barcelona, while pursuing to sign Yerry Mina from Palmeiras, are also sweating over the fate of centre-back Samuel Umtiti, reported to be in talks with Manchester City FC.

With FC Barcelona enforcer Javier Mascherano on his way out, the La Liga leaders are “one step away” from signing Colombian international Yerry Mina from Palmeiras, according to the Spanish press.

FC Barcelona is pursuing Yerry Mina from Palmeiras as a replacement for Javier Mascherano, who is on his way out from the Catalan club. (Getty Images)

Barcelona are also sweating over the fate of their young French centre-back Samuel Umtiti, widely reported to be in talks with Manchester City.

Should Mascherano, on the verge of a switch to China’s Hebei Fortune for $12 million (10 million euros), and Umtiti leave, Barcelona would be left with just Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen as recognised centre-backs.

“Yerry Mina is just a step away from becoming a Barcelona player,” Mundo Deportivo reported on Friday.

“Barca say it’s a done deal,” Spanish radio Onda Cero reported.

Former Colombian international winger Faustino Asprilla, who also played at Palmeiras wrote on Twitter “Benvingut (welcome) Yerry Mina to @fcbarcelona.”

Mina is an athletic 6ft 5in (1.95m), 23-years-old and has been with Sao Paulo outfit Palmeiras since May 2016.