Everton have made an ambitious bid for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina.
Mina scored in a third successive World Cup match as Colombia bowed out to England on penalties in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash between the sides.
But the centre-back’s prospects at the Nou Camp appear ominous with Sevilla’s Clement Lenglet on the verge of joining the new La Liga champions.
Also adding to Mina’s uncertainty are Barca’s plans to sign Gremio midfielder Arthur, which would require freeing up a place for another non-EU player.
Speaking after his country’s World Cup exit, the 23-year-old remained noncommittal on the current speculation over his future.
He said: “In my head right now, I am thinking about returning to Barca.
“Now is not the moment to talk about my future, but the World Cup has helped me rediscover myself and reaffirm myself as a footballer.
“God gave me my talent. What I need is to always play to the best of my ability and enjoy my football. After that, I’m always calm and I trust God.”
However Everton are understood to have proposed a deal of around £21 million for Mina with new manager Marco Silva thought to be particularly keen.
Gerard Deulofeu’s 2015 move to Goodison Park could provide a framework for Barca’s decision to part with the former Palmeiras defender this summer.
A loan switch for Mina has not been discounted while a transfer with a buy-back option, similar to the Deulofeu deal, is also mooted as a possibility.
The Catalans added a €100m (£88.1m) buy-out clause in Mina’s contract following his £10.4m arrival during the January transfer window.