Atletico Madrid have reportedly entered the race to sign Barcelona defender Sergino Dest, who is also on the radar of Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
According to a report from El Chiringuito TV, as relayed by Sport, Atletico Madrid are the latest club to register an interest in securing the services of Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest, who is a target for Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Dest signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2020, arriving in a deal worth around €25 million from AFC Ajax. However, the 21-year-old has had to endure a difficult time at Camp Nou, having struggled to establish himself as a regular in the lineup in his near eighteen-month stint at Camp Nou.
Dest has made 57 appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring three goals and registering four assists. However, he has not been consistent enough for the Catalan giants, while the defensive failings in his game have forced him out of the plans under Xavi Hernandez, who has put his stock in Ronald Araujo at right-back recently.
With Dani Alves also now available as an option and Oscar Mingueza showing signs of form in the recent win over RCD Mallorca, Dest’s chances look bleak. And Barcelona are open to cashing in on him in January to generate some funds and clear space on the wage bill for new signings.
Bayern Munich have been long-term admirers of the USMNT international and have continued to hold an interest in him. Chelsea have also made their presence felt in the race to sign the 21-year-old as they continue to deal with the injury-enforced absence of Ben Chilwell. At the same time, the recent injury picked up by Reece James has further accentuated the need for a new and versatile full-back like Dest.
Now, Atletico Madrid have also emerged as a suitor for the former AFC Ajax man. The Rojiblancos are staring at the prospect of losing first-choice right-back Kieran Trippier in the ongoing transfer window. The England international is set to sign for Newcastle United in a deal worth €30 million.
A new right-back has become a necessity for Diego Simeone, with Sime Vrsaljko hardly being considered as a reliable option by the Colchoneros, leading to the interest in Dest. However, the report adds that Dest has no intention of leaving Barcelona in the ongoing transfer window, as he wishes to prove himself at Camp Nou.
However, with several top clubs now making their interest known in the United States right-back, it remains to be seen if he changes his stance on the matter in the coming weeks.