Leeds United have reportedly emerged as a surprise contender to sign Barcelona defender Sergino Dest. A player, that once played alongside Pascal Struijk – and that relationship could be key to securing a deal.
Dest, 21, is expected to leave Barcelona this summer with the Nou Camp side likely to cash in on a number of their fringe players in order to bring in some new signings. Dest is one of those players, as competes for a place.
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While he has clocked up 68 appearances for Barcelona since joining the club in the summer of 2020 – he has only completed 90 minutes 13 times in his 27 appearances this season. He has a contract at Barca until 2025.
TeamTalk report that Leeds have entered the race to sign the 17-time USA international – with SPORT claiming £17m is enough to convince Barcelona to sanction his exit. Leeds signed Junior Firpo from Barca in 2021.
Struijk is crucial to Leeds getting a deal over the line for Dest…
Dest came through the academy at Ajax before playing 36 senior appearances for the Dutch side – convincing Barcelona to sign him. Before that, he played alongside Struijk in the Ajax Under-19 side.
Struijk, who turns 23 in August, also came through the ranks at Ajax and TransferMarkt claim the two shared the field for Ajax five times – at Under-19 level. Leeds will be a big change of environment for Dest.
So, if they do manage to strike a deal for Dest, one convincing factor will be a familiar face in unfamiliar surroundings and having Struijk on side at Leeds will surely play a part in any negotiations Leeds have with Dest.
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