Everton are expected to step up their pursuit of Yerry Mina after securing Richarlison, but the Toffees would be much better served moving for Red Bull Leipzig wonderkid Dayot Upamecano.

What's the story?

According to The Liverpool Echo, Everton are set to battle it out with Lyon to sign Barcelona’s Mina.

The towering centre back had a superb World Cup, and has been heavily linked with a move to become Michael Keane’s new partner in the heart of Marco Silva’s defence.

However, Keane needs a partner who is composed and commanding, and while Mina is a an absolute beast in the air, his positional sense can let him down, and putting him next to Keane would be a risk.

That is why Silva and Marcel Brands should turn their attention to Upamecano, who has everything Mina has plus that extra bit of pace and intelligence that Mina lacks.

Mina is a fantastic defender, but if Silva is serious about building a new look Everton side full of youth and pace, then Upamecano would truly be the perfect signing. Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, he has all the tools to be a Premier League great.

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Perfect partner for Keane?

Although Mina is much taller than the Upamecano, the 19 year-old Frenchman is actually just as good in the air, winning on average nearly four aerial duels per game last season, slightly more than Mina managed for Barcelona and slightly less than the Colombian mustered at the World Cup.

Both players are solid defenders that love getting stuck in, but once again the Leipzig wonderkid takes the cake. The 19 year-old averaged a remarkable two tackles, two interceptions and five clearances per game last season, which shows just how good he is at reading the game and breaking up attacks.

What really separates him from Mina though is his pace and ball playing ability, and you’d be hard pushed to find a striker anywhere in the Premier League that can outrun the Frenchman. He averaged an impressive 84 per cent pass accuracy in Leipzig’s fast counter attacking system, so his transition to Silva’s style would be an easy one.

Both players are lethal in the air, as Upamecano grabbed three Bundesliga goals last season, a total Mina matched at the World Cup.

There’s no doubt about, Mina is one of the brightest defensive talents in the world, but he is still extremely raw and his positioning is disastrous at times. Upamecano is younger, but already has a better knowledge of the game and can always use his pace to recover if he is caught out.

A combination of Upemecano and Keane would have pace, physicality, composure and ball-playing ability, and alongside the likes of Seamus Coleman and Jordan Pickford would give the Toffees a defence that would be feared by some of their rivals.

So, Everton fans, which centre back would you rather sign? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…