RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Palmeiras have played down reports that their Colombian defender Yerry Mina could join Barcelona this month.

According to Palmeiras football director Alexandre Mattos, the Spanish giants have asked to bring forward a previous agreement to activate Mina's nine million-euro release clause in July.

"It's true that Barcelona have come after Mina and it's true that they are offering more money," Mattos told reporters on Wednesday.

"But it's also true that Palmeiras are not interested. However we are going to wait for him [Mina] to come back [from vacation] so that we can talk with him."

Mina, who has been capped five times for Colombia's national team, is expected to return to training with the Sao Paulo club on Friday.

The 23-year-old has made 48 appearances for Palmeiras since joining the club from Independiente Santa Fe in May 2016 on a five-year deal.