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What's the story?
La Liga points table leaders Barcelona are set to finalise their first signing of the January transfer window with the announcement of Colombian defender Yerry Mina according to Spanish media outlet Sport.
The Catalan club is expected to finalise a deal which is said to be worth slightly more than €9 million with the player's current club Palmeiras.
In case you didn't know...
Barcelona have been on a lookout for a new centre-back as veteran player Javier Mascherano had expressed his intent to move away from the Camp Nou. The Blaugrana's key defender Samuel Umtiti is also out injured, leaving the side with Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen as the preferred defensive pairing.
Mina has been a target of the Ernesto Valverde-managed side for some time and the La Liga points table leaders were expected to complete the signing of the player next summer. But Mascherano's potential departure and Umtiti's injury have left them without no other choice.
The heart of the matter
Barcelona are set to make Mina their first signing of the winter transfer window when it opens next week if the report from Sport is to be believed. The Spanish side will have to pay slightly more than €9 million to land the Colombian. The club is also expected to pay another €5-€10 million according to what they get for the sale of Mascherano.
The Blaugrana will also be looking to convince Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool to sell their number 10, Philippe Coutinho, in January.
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Author's take
Mina is a good defender who is known for his strengths in tackling, aerial duels and passing. The Colombian is also only 24-year-old and a move to Barcelona will be a big move for the player.
With the departure of Mascherano, Mina sounds like a good option for the Blaugrana. The Palmeiras player could be the perfect backup for Umtiti and Pique.
