Athletic: Barcelona’s U-turn and Man Utd snub – background on Dest’s move to Milan

By Oliver Fisher -

Manchester United snubbed the chance to reunite Sergino Dest with Erik Ten Hag paving the way for his move to AC Milan, a report claims.

The Athletic have given some background on how Dest experienced a whirlwind final part of the summer transfer window, recalling his words upon joining the Rossoneri on transfer deadline day.

“Everything actually happened really quickly, in one day. I had to make a decision really quickly, to change my life, go to another club, another country, another culture,” Dest told Milan TV.

“This is a club I wanted to play for when I was younger, this is a nice step for me, a good chance to play again, I am really glad and honoured to play for this club.”

The report mentions how the move was not what Dest expected at the start of the summer but ‘everyone involved was happy with how it worked out’ once it was completed. At the start of preseason he presumed he would be staying at the Nou Camp, with director of football Mateu Alemany even assuring the USA international and his camp that they saw him as an important squad member for the future.

There was even a feeling that Dest could soon renew his contract, with the player remarking during a US tour: “I’m happy at this club and I will definitely stay here.”

However, Xavi identified Cesar Azpilicueta as the right-back he wanted for the new season but Dest was not worried about being shipped out despite the speculation in the Spanish media suggesting he could be sold for profit.

When the team got back from their US tour the situation changed as Barcelona’s board still needed to raise money from transfers.  Dest’s camp began looking at potential destinations and a reunion with Erik ten Hang at Manchester United ‘was a possibility’.

However, United’s football director John Murtough blocked the move as he prefers Aaron Wan Bissaka and wanted to back the England international. Villarreal became a potential destination and a deal involving Juan Foyth going the other way was discussed, but Foyth injured his knee on August 28 and though a loan deal was offered Barca wanted to sell.

Borussia Dortmund came forward and a swap with Thomas Meunier was considered, but then Milan came forward late in the window when back-up right-back Alessandro Florenzi was injured.

Technical director Paolo Maldini had closely watched Dest’s development over time, and decided to agree to a season-long loan deal which includes an option to buy at €20m.

Now, it is up to Dest to prove Barcelona and United wrong, and also to nail down a starting spot in the USA national team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Tags AC Milan Sergino Dest

1 Comment

  1. Really great work by Maldini to swoop in at this opportunity. Besides being “backup” RB to Calabria (some may argue over time that he’s a better option than Davide), I think he should get opportunities at RW and also he can give Theo a rest at LB because he’s played there as well.

    An Ajax Academy trained player will always know how to press and play with energy which is what Pioli needs.

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