Everton’s Yerry Mina is on Napoli’s list of options to replace Kostas Manolas, but they will need a loan deal if they are to sign the Colombian.
That’s according to Il Mattino, who back up reports that the Everton man is on Napoli’s list of central defensive targets.
Manolas recently secured a return to his homeland with Olympiakos, leaving Napoli with a hole in their defence that they will need to fill.
A list of options is reportedly being drawn up, and Mina is believed to be on it, with a report yesterday naming him as an option.
That was followed by Gazzetta Dello Sport saying the same thing today, although they made it clear that Napoli’s wish for a loan deal probably wouldn’t be accepted by Everton.
Il Mattino now have their say and back-up Mina is on the list that Napoli are exploring, but the ‘market conditions’ they are working under from the summer haven’t changed.
Money is still tight, and the wage bill still needs to be reduced further, even though it has dropped below €100m after Manolas’ departure.
Therefore their strategy is the same as before, to explore options and hopefully find an operation that ‘affects only the salary’ and ‘not the cost of the card’.
This is something they managed to do when they signed Franck Zambo Anguissa from Fulham in the summer on a loan deal that includes a €15m clause for next summer, and they need another ‘opportunity’ like that one.
Whether Everton would accept such a deal isn’t known, but it seems unlikely. They need money and if they were to lose Mina, it would surely be for money so they can reinvest in the squad.
Rafa Benitez has bemoaned the Colombian’s injury issues, though, and given he’s among the high earners at Goodison Park, perhaps just getting him off the books would be something they would be happy with.
It’s something the two clubs will have to explore but either way, Mina is seemingly on Napoli’s list of options as they look for the man to replace Manolas.
