Sergino Dest is back at FC Barcelona after enduring a torrid loan spell at AC Milan. The 22-year-old has been a Blaugrana player since 2020, when the club spent around €20 million to sign him from AFC Ajax.
Although Dest played regularly in his debut season under Ronald Koeman, he never really looked convincing enough. And the situation only worsened once Xavi Hernandez took over in 2021, with the right-back losing all prominence before eventually leaving on loan last year.
Now, though, with AC Milan not activating the permanent purchase option on his contract, the 22-year-old is back at Barcelona. And considering the need for a new right-back and the lack of financial muscle, it has been suggested that Dest could earn a chance to stay at the club.
Indeed, Xavi will reportedly take a close look at the USMNT international during the pre-season and make a decision on his continuity if the club are unable to sign a new right-back.
However, according to a fresh update from Javi Miguel on Culemania, Barcelona remain fixated on selling Dest this summer.
For starters, it is claimed that the club coaches are not at all convinced by the 22-year-old as they believe that he has tactical shortcomings to fit into Xavi’s setup.
Beyond that, there is also the issue of his salary. The defender is said to earn in excess of €10 million per year, which in Barcelona’s current economic climate is just not feasible at a time when they are looking to trim their wage bill.
As such, the main aim remains to offload Dest this summer, although it has not been easy finding suitors for him thus far.
But, as mentioned earlier, there may be a scenario where he ends up staying at the club if there are no convincing offers and the Catalans are unable to sign a new right-back.
