Big Barcelona decision coming, Valverde trying with player in training, difficult situation

Barcelona have currently not made a decision on Yerry Mina’s transfer situation and the central defender’s future will be decided after the end of the 2017/18 season.

Ernesto Valverde guided his side to La Liga and Copa del Rey success in his debut season at the Camp Nou. They secured the league following their 4-2 league win over Deportivo de La Coruña, a week after beating Sevilla 5-0 in the Copa del Rey final.

The Catalan club still have four games left in the league this campaign. According to the Catalan newspaper Sport, the former Atheltic Bilbao manager is planning to provide opportunities to Mina in the last two fixtures against Levante and Real Sociedad to prove his worth.

Mina arrived in Spain from Brazilian side Palmeiras in the January transfer window. He was a replacement for Javier Mascherano, who left Barcelona and made a switch to the Chinese Super League earlier in this calendar year.

Valverde has used the 23-year-old in only two league matches. The Barcelona boss has preferred Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti as his centre-back pairing and the duo have impressed in their positions.

Thomas Vermaelen is also another option at centre-back for the 54-year-old. The Spanish champions’ coach is impressed with the former Arsenal defender’s display and is keen on including him in his plans for the 2018/19 season.

Barcelona officials and their manager thought it was necessary to have an extra central defender in the squad following Mascherano’s departure, which saw them bring Mina in January. However, the Colombian international has failed to impress, which has raised doubts over his future.

Mina has not yet adjusted to the “speed of European football” and the coach, with his backroom staff, are providing enough feedback during training to improve his game. However, that is still not sufficient and lack of playing time at Barcelona will not be good for the player’s development.

If Mina is not included in Valverde’s plans at Camp Nou, he is likely to find a way out and Sport claims the South American will not be short of offers. Barcelona manager and other people involved in taking sporting decisions will decide on the defender’s future.

Sevilla defender Clément Lenglet has been identified as one of the targets for Barcelona. Another report from Sport claims the La Liga winners could use Mina as bait in signing Lenglet and allow the Colombian to move in the opposite direction.