Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 6y

Ernesto Valverde to decide Yerry Mina's Barcelona future - Jordi Mestre

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre says manager Ernesto Valverde will have the final say on Yerry Mina's future, amid reports of interest from Manchester United and Everton.

Sources have confirmed to ESPN FC that Barca have received approaches for Mina from several clubs, including Premier League sides, following the Colombian defender's impressive World Cup.

Barca currently have six centre-backs in their squad and only three -- Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and new signing Clement Lenglet -- appear guaranteed to be at the club when the season begins.

Therefore, two of Mina, Thomas Vermaelen and Malon Santos are expected to depart Camp Nou this summer.

"It's top secret," Mestre told ESPN FC when asked if United were one of the sides pursuing Mina. "We have to be very careful because Yerry Mina arrived last season and he's very young, but we will see. We will see. The final opinion [on if he stays or goes] is with the coach [Valverde]."

Speaking in Los Angeles last week, Valverde hinted that Mina's displays in Russia, which saw him saw three goals as Colombia reached the Round of 16, will not alter his plans for the defender.

"Yerry's a great player," Valverde said. "As he showed, he's also a goalscorer, but what we want, above all, is [for him] to defend. Maybe with the national team they want him to score goals, and that does also interest us, but, above all, we need him to defend. We already have players that score goals."

Reports earlier this week claimed United have turned their attention to Mina, who will be 24 next month, following their failure to sign Leicester City's Harry Maguire.

However, the two clubs are said to be at odds over the fee, with Barca asking for €40 million for Mina, who they signed for just €11m from Palmeiras in January.

Mina's agent, his uncle Jair, has previously confirmed that Everton have also shown an interest in his nephew.

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