Barcelona's Mina hopes to play for team 'where there is less pressure'

Yerry Mina is feeling the weight of playing for one of the world's biggest football clubs.

The star Colombia defender has admitted he's had "very difficult moments" at Barcelona since joining the Catalonian giant in January from Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. He made just five La Liga appearances in his first half-season.

"I want to play for a team where there is less pressure and where I can have minutes," he told reporters, as quoted by FourFourTwo.

Related - Watch: Mina's 93rd-minute header extends England-Colombia contest

However, the centre-back not only impressed defensively at the World Cup this summer but also proved his aerial attacking ability with three headed goals in Russia. He has been linked to Premier League side Everton amongst other clubs this window, and already appears ready to consider a move away from the Blaugrana.

"I will always try to do my best for me, for my club and I hope that wherever I end up, whether it is at Barcelona or whether I have to leave, I will do it in the best way," Mina added.

Mina's playing time since January has been severely restricted by competition for a central defensive spot, as the 23-year-old found himself behind Gerard Pique and World Cup finalist Samuel Umtiti in the pecking order and battling with Thomas Vermaelen for a backup spot.

"When I saw that I wasn't even on the bench, that I wasn't even being considered, I started to train alone at home," Mina said. "It is tough to watch your teammates and see the matches on TV ... There were very difficult moments that were very sad for me because I was really not doing well."

Should Mina remain at Camp Nou, he looks likely to face even more of a challenge to hold down a regular spot, given the club shelled out just shy of €36 million this week to sign Sevilla centre-back Clement Lenglet.

After a breakout international tournament, there is likely to be a long line of potential suitors should Barca sanction a move away.