Manchester United keen to sign Barcelona defender Sergino Dest

My Football Facts ⇒ Articles

By Martin Graham | 13th Aug 2022

Manchester United has opened talks with Barcelona over the signing of full-back Sergino Dest. The American is valued at £17m, but United would gladly offer Diogo Dalot in exchange.

With the 2022/23 Premier League season underway, Manchester United are still scouring the market for players to beef up the quality of their squad. The Red Devils have made little progress in their quest to improve the quality of the team. Many rumours surround the targets the Old Trafford side are pursuing.

Erik Ten Hag wants to uplift the quality of play at Old Trafford to get good results, as it seems to be clear to the Dutch tactician that the squad quality cannot do the job required. Ten Hag has looked to sign players he has worked with in the past, but it has been one unsuccessful attempt after another. He has managed to sign Lisandro Martinez, who he worked with at Ajax.

Manchester United are after another former Ajax product to beef up their defence. With the attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong stalling, Erik Ten Hag has shifted focus to another Barcelona player, Sergino Dest.

Man United in negotiations for Sergino Dest

Manchester United seem to be working with a template that suggests they have no plan. The Red Devils have been operating haphazardly in the transfer market, and the results allude to this statement. The Old Trafford side has succeeded in signing Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and free agent Christian Eriksen but have failed with their priority targets.

Manchester United have been in talks with Barcelona for the signing of former Ajax star Frenkie de Jong. The deal is close to being hijacked by Chelsea as the Dutch midfielder seems uninterested in a move to Old Trafford. With little success in convincing De Jong to accept a move to Manchester United, the Red Devils have shifted their gaze to another Barcelona player, Sergino Dest.

Sergino Dest has emerged as the next target for Manchester United. Following the difficulties in landing Frenkie de Jong, Erik Ten Hag is looking to feel another area in his team. The Old Trafford side is discussing the signing of full-back Sergino Dest.

Upgrading the right-back position

Sport reports that Ten Hag wants to upgrade his right-back options and sees his former player Sergino Dest as an answer to his problems. The report suggests that Ten Hag is open to sending Diogo Dalot the other way.

Sergino Dest joined Barcelona in 2020 for £23.5m. The American defender is now valued at £17m by Barcelona. United hope to seal a deal with the Catalan giants by offering Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot in exchange.

Dest has been at Barcelona for two seasons and has made 72 appearances, often rotated between Sergi Roberto and Ronald Araujo by Xavi Hernandez.

Diogo Dalot joined Manchester United in 2018, and since his £17.4m move has managed just 66 appearances for the Red Devils. He has failed to cement a place in the starting eleven but managed to displace Aaron Wan Bissaka in that position last season. The die is cast, and no one is sure of what happens next as either Dalot or Dest have not shown interest in swapping clubs.