USMNT defender Sergino Dest’s future is likely to be away from Barcelona after he struggled to impress on the club’s pre-season tour.
The Spanish side are understood to be willing to listen to offers of around €10million ($11m) for the right-back, with a loan also a potential option.
Dest, 22, featured in all three of Barcelona’s friendlies in the U.S., starting in the 5-3 defeat by Arsenal, then coming on from the bench for wins against Real Madrid and A.C. Milan, where he spent an underwhelming loan spell last season.
Reports have emerged in the last 48 hours that Barcelona were considering ripping up his deal, which runs until 2025, in order to get the defender’s salary off their books. But sources close to the player, who were not authorised to speak about the situation, dismissed that scenario and indicated Dest had not been told he was heading for the exit.
Last month Dest told The Athletic he saw his future at Camp Nou and said he had been told by manager Xavi that he would get a clean slate to impress, despite making only two starts and six substitute appearances at the San Siro last term due to injuries and poor form.
“I don’t want to give too much information about what we discussed, but at the end of the day (Xavi) told me: ‘OK, I’ll give you a fair chance to prove yourself.’ So that’s what it is at the moment,” Dest said in last month’s group interview.
“He told me: ‘I think you have qualities but it’s up to you, you have to show me.’ And I fully agree.“I feel that with what happened last season with me, I have to have a fast start. I’m here to prove myself.”
Spain’s champions are in need of further strength at right-back. Although the team’s defence was one of last season’s great successes, centre-back Jules Kounde played the position most regularly and has since expressed his desire to return to his natural spot.
However, Dest’s appearances in the U.S. have not convinced Xavi that the Dutch-born USMNT defender has a long-term future with the club.
He was replaced by Sergio Roberto at half-time in the Arsenal defeat at the SoFi stadium in California, and played 19 minutes against Real Madrid and 26 minutes in the narrow victory over AC Milan in Nevada.
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