MANCHESTER UNITED READY TO PAY €20 + $10 MILLION ADDON FOR BARCELONA GOAL STOPPER
Manchester United is willing to pay €20 million to sign Barcelona right-back Sergio Dest during the summer transfer window, according to Spanish daily SPORT. Only two years after joining the Catalan club from Ajax, the USMNT international could be on his way out.
Barcelona is apparently willing to listen to bids for Dest, which is now pursued by Manchester United. Erik ten Hag, manager of the Red Devils, managed the USMNT international at Ajax and is keen to bring him on board at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old has made 72 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions since joining from Dutch giants Ajax in 2020. Dest has also scored three goals and contributed four assists, and he appears to have a promising future.
However, Barcelona has been linked with a bid for Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpiliceuta, and if they do sign the Spaniard, Dest will fall down the pecking order. Furthermore, Barcelona needs to offload a few players to balance their salary bill, and the young right-back could bear the brunt of it because to Manchester United’s interest.
The Catalan giants are demanding €20 million in transfer fees, which Manchester United is willing to pay. The Premier League heavyweights are aware that Dest is a player who may attract interest from other teams, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Monaco, and Atletico Madrid, all of whom have previously approached the Barcelona defender.
The 21-year-old still has three years left on his contract with the Catalan club, but his playing time will be reduced if Azpilicueta joins from Chelsea this summer. If Dest goes, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is anticipated to rely on Sergi Roberto as his backup right-back.
Manchester United’s current right-back options are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot. Erik ten Hag has not been impressed by either player, and the team is looking for possible reinforcements for the position. Manchester United has also been connected with Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan.
