Manchester United are reportedly now in advanced talks to sign FC Barcelona defender Sergino Dest, with Leeds United also interested in the United States international this summer.
According to Sport, the Red Devils are making good progress this week in their bid to sign 21-year-old defender, with Dest set to leave Barcelona this summer after falling out of favour with manager Xavi Hernandez and the Catalan giants eager to sell any unnecessary players.
As per the report, Barcelona are open to selling Dest for as little as €20m (£17m) despite the fullback having an official release clause of €400m (£337m), and for Leeds, they Whites now look set to miss out on another American this summer, this time to the hands of Premier League rivals United.
Leeds have been reportedly interested in signing Dest in recent weeks, however, with Erik Ten Hag eager to sign a new right-back for United, the Dutch manager has managed to steer the Manchester giants into the lead to sign the Barcelona outcast, who could replace both Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford.
Indeed, with Chelsea and Tottenham also reportedly being offered the chance to sign Dest, United could be about to beat numerous top sides to the former Ajax star’s signature, with Leeds also set to miss out on a top signing to their historic English enemies.
However, given United’s horrific right-back problems that have plagued the club for well over a year, signing Dest could finally give Ten Hag, who managed the American at Ajax, a solid option in the position and solve a huge issue for the new Red Devils coach, who has much to do in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Dest could prove to be a better signing for United than had he joined Leeds
As mentioned, United’s right-back issues have been a major cause of concern for supporters over the past few months, and whilst Dest would have been a quality addition for Marsch at Leeds, the American is arguably exactly what the Manchester giants for the new season.
After all, Dest is only 21-years-old and plays a style of football that will impress United supporters, and playing under a familiar coach such as Ten Hag could help the USA international bring the right-back position back to life after months of stagnation under the likes of Dalot and Wan-Bissaka.
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