West Ham Look to Upstage Barca with Mina Deal

West Ham are preparing a move for Barcelona target Yerry Mina, according to reports from the Mirror.

The Camp Nou club have lined up a move for the Palmeiras defender having monitored his situation for some time, but Slaven Bilic’s Hammers are ready to hijack their attempts.

A number of European clubs are interested in signing the Colombian, including Manchester City, though West Ham’s offer of regular first-team football may be enough to persuade the 22-year-old.

The London club sit in 13th after 20 Premier League games this season and are looking at a number of potential winter signings in attempts to boost their position in the second half of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Ivan Rakitic has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but returned to the Barcelona squad for the Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Bilbao lastnight.

Croatia international Rakitic was dropped from the side for last Sunday’s LaLiga trip to Villarreal amid reports he was the subject of interest from City.

Luis Enrique denied there was any truth to the claims following a 1-1 draw at the Estadio de la Ceramica, while vice-president Jordi Mestre said Barca were in the process of negotiating a contract renewal for the midfielder.

The rumours have rumbled on despite Barca’s stance and Rakitic could be back in action for them yesterdaywhen they host Athletic in the second leg of their last-16 Copa tie, aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit.

While Rakitic returns to the matchday squad, Portugal international Andre Gomes, who has failed to impress since his arrival from Valencia in July, was left out.

Luis Enrique has Jasper Cillessen available once again, the Netherlands international having recovered sufficiently from a calf injury.