Barcelona flyer Sergino Dest has turned down a move to Arsenal after receiving an approach from the Premier League giants this week, as reported by Sport.
When it comes to transfers between Barca and Arsenal, they usually tend to go in one direction.
Alexis Sanchez was an exception rather than the rule, with Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen, Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Alexander Hleb, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Thierry Henry and Alex Song all swapping North London for Catalonia since the turn of the century.
But after Barcelona’s debts spiralled past the £1 billion mark, Arsenal were hoping to take some measure of revenge by snapping up one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe, just one year after he made the familiar journey from Ajax to Camp Nou in a deal worth £23 million.
Are Arsenal’s hopes over when it comes to Sergino Dest?
According to Sport, Arsenal are one of three clubs – alongside perennial talentspotters Monaco and Borussia Dortmund – who have lodged enquiries about the spring-heeled American international in the last few days.
That hope quickly turned to disappointment, however, with Dest making it clear that he has absolutely ‘no intention’ of leaving Barca after just one season and 23 La Liga starts for the Catalan club.
“I want to continue at Barca,” Dest said earlier this month, via Football London.
With Barcelona mired in a financial mess of their own making – and with offers for Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann not forthcoming – a desperate situation could force the five-time European champions to consider selling Dest against his will.
Ronald Koeman already has the long-serving Sergi Roberto at his disposal, while Barca have also exercised the buy-back clause in Emerson Royal’s contract, allowing the Brazil international right-back to return to the Camp Nou after an impressive couple of seasons at Real Betis.
“I think he has a high level. He has a great future and fits perfectly with the characteristics that a full-back at Barca should have,” Jordi Alba said of Dest recently.
Dest would have replaced Hector Bellerin at Arsenal, with the one-time La Masia starlet seemingly on his way to Inter Milan.
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