In a shocking piece of news just coming in, Barcelona defender Yerry Mina is close to joining Liverpool on a loan deal next season. As per a tweet from Spanish broadcast programme El Chiringuito, the Reds are the front-runners to acquire his signature.

The Colombian centre-back completed a much-anticipated move to join Barcelona only last summer but since then, the former Palmeiras player has hardly featured for the club. Mina has played just 5 times for the Catalan giants so far and for a youngster like him, the lack of game time could lead to issues in the future.

🚨🇨🇴 "Yerry Mina JUGARÁ CEDIDO la temporada que viene en el Liverpool". ¡ATENTO a LA EXCLUSIVA de @IgnacioMiguelez en #ElChiringuitoDeMega! pic.twitter.com/VcLfjKBXTP

— ChiringuitoLatino (@chirilatino) May 11, 2018

Thus, to allow him more playing time, it is indeed a good move for Barcelona to send him out on loan and it comes as better news for us, considering we do need cover in the heart of the defence.

Despite Virgil van Dijk’s inclusion in January, Liverpool’s backline has often looked weak. Until now, the Dutchman has mostly partnered with the likes of Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan and both players have been underwhelming, to say the least.

On that front, Mina could prove to be a good partner for van Dijk. With Joel Matip out due to an injury, the 23-year-old could thrive in a central defensive partnership with the former Southampton star.

However, Mina’s arrival could eat away Joe Gomez’s chances of playing in his preferred centre-back role. Although he has been content with playing as a full-back this season, it will be a lot tougher for him to transition into the role of a regular centre-back with Mina in the mix.

Nevertheless, due to our lack of squad depth, a loan move for Mina seems like a step in the right direction for Liverpool.

https://youtu.be/jxrP32JdJuE