Everton could be set for a significant blow in the January transfer window after key defender Yerry Mina was linked with a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

What's the story?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO), the highly-rated 27-year-old appears to be edging ever closer to the Goodison Park exit door.

The report claims that the Toffees will allow Mina to depart if Newcastle match their £17m asking price over the coming months, with Rafa Benitez's charges in need of extra funds.

Over the summer, the centre-back was heavily linked with a move to Serie A amid reported interest from Inter and Fiorentina, but a switch to St. James' Park now appears to be the most likely option.

Rafa Benitez would be devastated

If Mina exits Everton during the winter window, then manager Rafa Benitez would surely be left devastated and with more misery at Goodison Park, given his importance to the first-team squad.

The Merseyside outfit have struggled in recent weeks, picking up just five points from a possible 30 after winning only one of their last ten Premier League fixtures, dropping them down to 14th in the top-flight table as a result.

However, Mina has been absent for much of that period through injury, with his only start since 2 October coming in the much-needed 2-1 victory over Arsenal.

In fact, Everton have only lost one of the six league fixtures the Colombia international has started, losing seven of the nine he hasn't, highlighting his integral nature to Benitez's side.

And his underlying numbers indicate why the 6 foot 3 gem has become such a pivotal cog in the heart of defence.

As per WhoScored, Mina has averaged 1.3 interceptions, 3.4 clearances and 0.6 blocks per top-flight fixture, placing him in the top four amongst his teammates for each metric.

His potential departure to Newcastle could have disastrous consequences for Everton, therefore, and Benitez and the club's supporters alike will surely be hoping Mina stays put for the foreseeable future.

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