(Football news) Sergino Dest has arrived in Milan to complete his medical and secure his move to the Rossoneri from Barcelona. The defender looked set to stay but AC Milan have made a late move to bring in the USMNT star on loan and it looks like the deal will be made official today. It’s been reported that Dest will initially move on loan and the transfer will include a purchase option which is set at around €20 million.
The 21-year-old will undergo medical checks at Milan and could sign his contract this afternoon with the defending Serie A champions. Dest this season hasn’t played a single minute for Barcelona after being told he was surplus to requirements by Xavi and will be hoping he can get his career back on track in Italy under Pioli’s management. It remains to be seen if Barcelona will sign a right-back on the deadline day as the position has been a priority but time is against the Catalans now. Yesterday news broke last night that Milan have acted quickly following Alessandro Florenzi’s injury and are signing Dest as cover for the right-back role.
Not only that, but according to Italian reports, Milan will pay the entire salary of the player too, with Dest. The USA international will be signing a contract with the Rossoneri until the summer of 2027 on a potential four-year deal should the transfer be permanent at the end of the season. Florenzi is now expected to miss at least two months with a bad muscle injury, so Maldini and co chose to address the issue. Dest was heavily linked with Manchester United the entire summer as the Red Devils were looking to offload Wan Bissaka and get in a cover for Diego Dalot but the move never transpired. Before AC Milan, he was touted to go to Villarreal on loan but Dest opted to go to Italy and retain some minutes under his belt. He was signed from Ajax in 2020 but the right-back never got it going at Barcelona. A change of scenery could help get his career back on track as Barca are making a strong push to sign a new right-back on deadline day with Mexican ace Julian Araujo emerging as the number one target.
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