Everton chief Marcel Brands flies out to Barcelona for talks over Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne

EVERTON have sent their director of football to Barcelona in a bid to secure the signatures of two of their defenders.

Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne are on the Merseyside outfit's wishlist, in order to complete Marco Silva's master plan and increase competition for places within his club.

The double signings would provide alternative options to Leighton Baines, 33, who although has been a solid defender for the club is starting to struggle given his age.

Digne is reportedly desperate for more first-team football, as he plays second fiddle to Jordi Alba at left-back for the LaLiga giants.

But he has been included on Barcelona's pre-season tour of America.

Mina, on the other hand, has been granted an extended holiday after his World Cup campaign with Colombia where he netted three goals.

Silva wants to boost his squad this summer and has already made his position known by making ex-Watford colleague Richarlison his first signing.

The Everton boss has said that his wants competition for places in his team, he said: "The competition between our players is really important to me.

"This is what will make us better as a club, always that competition within the squad."

If the club did manage to secure the two Barcelona defenders it would provide him the opportunity to play with three-centre backs, and wings backs, while increasing competition for places within his squad.

Silva has been reunited with Brazilian Richarlison that he had brought to the Premier League during his tenure at Watford.

The Toffees paid £40m to bring the forward to Goodison Park, but the inflated price tag was in part an attempt to repair the damaged relationship between the clubs, following Everton's attempts to poach Silva from Watford.

Everton are also listening to offers for Klaassen after a disappointing season at Goodison.

Huddersfield are keen to sign the Dutch midfielder, but will have to outbid Werder Bremen.