Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly considering a summer swoop for Barcelona defender Sergino Dest.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea are considering a raid over Barcelona for the services of Sergino Dest. It appears Thomas Tuchel wants to bring in a new right-back in the upcoming summer transfer window as he braces himself for a mass exodus in the defensive unit.
Chelsea are facing the risk of losing several players to Barcelona this summer. Andreas Christensen has reportedly agreed a Bosman move to Camp Nou, while Cesar Azpilicueta is keen on following in the footsteps of his teammate.
If Azpilicueta and Christensen were not enough, Barcelona are reportedly closing in on the capture of Marcos Alonso as well. The Spaniard is expected to join the Catalan camp on a cut-price deal, and the left-back could become the third Chelsea player to join Barcelona ahead of the new season.
The Blues are now seeking retribution by launching a raid on Barcelona for two of their star players. Ousmane Dembele, in particular, has emerged as the transfer priority for Thomas Tuchel, with the German tactician keen on reuniting with the explosive winger at Chelsea.
In addition to Dembele, Tuchel is also keen on resolving the lack of depth in the right wing-back unit. With Azpilicueta subjected to a move to Barcelona, the Blues could indeed be left with Reece James as the only recognised option in the position. That is where Dest comes into the fray, with Chelsea targeting the Barcelona star as an ideal deputy for James.
Formerly of Ajax, Dest has never really managed to live up to the expectations since joining Barcelona in 2020. But he has shown glimpses of his talents while pace, aggression and versatility could be a useful prospect for Tuchel, who is known for rotating his team week in week out.
Dest, to that end, can serve as a backup for not only James at right wing-back, but also for the left wing-back Ben Chilwell. Considering his struggles at Barcelona, the American international is unlikely to cost a fortune either, thus making him a potential bargain for Chelsea.
Barcelona are said to be looking at around €25 million for the services of the talented right-back. It could prove to be a pocket pinch for Chelsea, if the American can fulfil his promise at Stamford Bridge in the years to come.
