Sergino Dest: Milan make transfer decision over Barcelona defender

Stuart Telford

• 23 Feb 2023 15:40 GMT
• 3 min read

USMNT right-back Sergino Dest has spent the season on loan at AC Milan from Barcelona.

Milan have no intention of extending Dest's stay at the San Siro, however. The Dutch-born American has made two Serie A starts since arriving in Italy last September, having failed to win over head coach Stefano Pioli, with Davide Calabria preferred at right-back.

Barca had been hoping that Milan would exercise their €20 million option to buy the right-back at the end of the current campaign, but there is little chance of that happening after his underwhelming stay.

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Milan won't move for Dest

"Milan have decided that they will not exercise the purchase option for Sergino Dest," report Spanish daily Sport.

"There are two arguments that lead Milan to this conclusion: on one hand, the player's salary compromises the club's salary limit, and on the other, his performances [which haven't been up to scratch]."

Barca signed Dest from Ajax for €21m in October 2020 when Ronald Koeman was still manager at Camp Nou, but the Dutchman was dismissed less than four weeks later and Dest fell out of favour under his successor, Xavi.

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Barca have been told by La Liga to improve their balance sheet by €200m before next season, and a Dest sale would go some way towards this.

Manchester United and Chelsea were both reportedly tracking Dest last summer, but his struggles in Italy allied to Diogo Dalot's emergence at the former and Reece James' projected recovery at the latter means their interest has cooled.

Dest had averaged three progressive carries and as many shot-creating actions at Barcelona and he remains first-choice in his position for the USA, so there is a player in there should one of the Premier League big boys - or indeed anybody else - take a gamble.