According to reports, Manchester United and Barcelona have talked about the prospect of sending Sergino Dest out on loan for the 2022–23 season.
The 21-year-old has not played for the Catalan club this season so far, and in their most recent La Liga matches against Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid, he was not even on the bench.
The right-back is not in Barcelona manager Xavi’s plans for the current campaign, and the team is still searching for a replacement before the transfer deadline. According to a recent report, Erik ten Hag’s team was considering signing the defender before the deadline since Aaron Wan-Bissaka might be leaving.
Although Diogo Dalot is Man United’s first-choice right-back, Wan-exit Bissaka’s would leave the Premier League team without many choices in that position. The 20-time English champions have reportedly held “exploratory conversations” with Barcelona regarding a potential loan deal for the American, according to the Manchester Evening News.
According to the rumour, Wan-replacement, Bissaka’s Dest, is seen as an improvement by Ten Hag’s staff, and a transfer for the Barcelona defender is a possibility if the former Crystal Palace teenager departs before the deadline.
Wan-Bissaka, who lost his starting position at Old Trafford in the second half of last season, is reportedly being pursued by both West Ham United and Palace.
Thus, it might be a really good time for Erik ten Hag’s team to lure in someone who can play week in week out at the vacant position.
Sergino Dest to strengthen United’s defense
Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro have already joined Man United this summer, and a deal for Ajax forward Antony has also been reached.
The club’s summer transfer business was previously believed to have come to an end with a loan agreement for Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United, but a new right-back may potentially be on the way before the deadline.
Dest signed a five-year contract with Barcelona when he moved from Ajax in October 2020, thus he still has three years left on his deal at Camp Nou.
Despite some injury issues, the right-back was a regular for Barcelona during the 2021–22 season, making 31 appearances across all competitions and providing three assists in the process. However, manager Xavi of Barcelona has now decided that the right-back is no longer necessary.
Dest played at Ajax alongside Ten Hag, and the new manager of Man United is thought to be pushing for a reunion in the closing days of the transfer market.
Meanwhile, after being extensively connected with leaving Old Trafford since the beginning of July, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly planning to stay.
The recent arrival of Antony and Anthony Martial’s comeback could make it challenging for the Portugal international to maintain a regular starting position this season after appearing as a substitute in Man United’s most recent Premier League games against Liverpool and Southampton.
For more Sports updates please follow us on Twitter
