AC Milan to now sign Leeds target Sergino Dest in £17m permanent deal

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AC Milan are reportedly ready to sign FC Barcelona defender and rumoured Leeds United target Sergino Dest on a permanent deal, with the Serie A side impressed with what the saw from the right-back at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

According to Corriere dello Sport via Sport, the reigning Italian champions are ready to pay Barcelona the €20m (£17m) transfer fee to sign Dest on permanently, with Milan convinced by the fullback’s potential after an ‘impressive’ showing in Qatar with America.

Dest started all four of the USA’s matches at the World Cup with the Barcelona-owned defender even bagging an assist as Gregg Berhalter’s side made it out of the group and into the round of 16. However, America were eventually knocked out by the Netherlands in a 3-1 loss.

Milan’s decision to permanently sign Dest will come as a surprise to many, with the Dutch-born defender only making two starts for the Rossoneri in all competitions this season since joining the San Siro side in the summer ahead of the likes of Leeds.

TeamTalk reported that Jesse Marsch was keen to add Dest to Leeds’ ranks in the summer along with fellow American internationals Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson. However, it was Milan who eventually won the race for the Ajax academy graduate.

Indeed, whilst minutes have been limited for Dest since deciding to join Milan over the likes of Leeds, the UEFA Champions League side clearly see something in the 22-year-old fullback. And the decision to sign the youngster now could be a genius move on the Rossoneri’s part.

Leeds will regret not signing Dest amid permanent AC Milan move

Dest to Leeds, at the time, felt like an ambitious deal that the Elland Road side could have got over the line had they pushed Barcelona hard enough. However, some months down the line, it now appears that the ship to sign the defender has completely sailed amid Milan making their loan deal for the American permanent.

And as a result, Leeds should be kicking themselves. After all, the right-back would have been another American addition to a growing core of players in Yorkshire. And with Dest impressing in Qatar, the Whites could have had another star from the World Cup coming back to them this month full of confidence.