Everton's move for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina has been thrown into doubt after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claimed he was still 'very interested' in joining them this summer.
The Toffees have been trying to sign the Colombia international for weeks and finally made a breakthrough in negotiations on Sunday when they agreed a £28.4million fee.
However, Aulas took to Twitter to claim that Lyon had not given up hope of hijacking Everton's move and even claimed Mina preferred the French club because he wants to play Champions League football.
Responding to a story that claimed Mina's move to Goodison Park was almost done, he wrote: 'I do not think [the website's] information is accurate. Yeri is always very interested in the OL [Lyon]. We all want him to be Lyon too to play the Champion's [sic] League at the GS [Groupama Stadium].'
The new claim from Aulas will set alarm bells ringing for Marco Silva, who needs another defender in order to play the three-at-the-back system he aims to implement at his new club.
With an imposing physical presence, Mina was highlighted as the perfect addition earlier this summer and Everton have explored a number of options including a loan deal in an attempt to get him.
Silva has sealed his other key targets in forward Richarlison and left-back Lucas Digne while young goalkeeper Joao Virginia joined this week from Arsenal.
The 23-year-old impressed for Colombia at the World Cup, scoring three goals in four games including a towering header against England in the round of 16.
Mina only joined Barcelona in January, but was restricted to just six appearances to the club, although he did win the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey..
Everton get their Premier League season underway on Saturday when they travel to face newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers. Following that the Toffees, who finished eighth last season, will host Southampton.