With Xavi due to take over as Barcelona manager soon, the Catalan club may be planning a reshuffle of the team, if not a complete makeover.
Following Ronald Koeman’s departure, Luuk de Jong, who joined in the summer, is already staring at the exit doors. Frenkie de Jong, his Netherlands international teammate, is also facing an uncertain future, with speculations indicating that Barca may decide to sell him after his recent poor performances.
SerginoDest, according to El Nacional, is another Barcelona player who could leave once Xavi takes over as manager. The 20-year-old joined Camp Nou last year in a €20 million deal from AFC Ajax, but he has struggled to adjust to life in Catalonia.
SerginoDest, who was signed at Koeman’s suggestion, had a mixed debut season with Barcelona, and he hasn’t exactly prospered this season either, despite three assists in 11 La Liga appearances. Given his lack of defensive polish, the USMNT prodigy has played in numerous games this year in an advanced role, with Oscar Mingueza preferred at right-back.
And, according to the aforementioned article, Xavi does not view Dest as part of his future ambitions. While he intends to keep the young right-back for the rest of the season, he has recommended the club sell him in the summer.
SerginoDest is a target for Chelsea
According to the source, this has alerted Premier League heavyweights Chelsea, who are interested in signing Dest from Barcelona. The reigning UEFA Champions League champions believe the ex-Ajax starlet would be a perfect fit at right wing-back in Thomas Tuchel’s Stamford Bridge system.
While Reece James is the Blues’ first choice at the position, captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who serves as his backup, is becoming older. Furthermore, the Spaniard’s contract will expire after the season, potentially leaving a void in the squad that Dest’s signing will fill.
SerginoDest would be interested in a move to Chelsea because he would be able to compete for titles on a more frequent basis and earn more money than he would at Barcelona, while the system in place might also fit him better.
Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea, is willing to authorize a €25 million bid for the Barcelona defender. According to the source, Catalan club president Laporta is expected to want €35 million for the 20-year-old USMNT player.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea has a serious interest in the deal and, if so, whether they are willing to match Barca’s asking price.
