You’ve probably seen the meme by now. You know, the one where Spider-man is pointing at his web-slinging doppelganger, a look of complete befuddlement palpable even beneath that iconic red and black mask.
Sergino Dest could be forgiven for looking at Noussair Mazraoui in much the same way if, as expected, the Morocco international completes his move to Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window.
Two talented, attack-minded right-backs. Two players who joined the Catalan Kings from Ajax, some 24 months apart.
And while last year’s festive blockbuster saw Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield join forces, don’t expect to see Dest and Mazraoui do the same at the Camp Nou.
According to Sport, the the arrival of the latter will more-than-likely result in the departure of the former.
There is only room in this town for the one of them, it seems. Despite Xavi’s praise of the always eye-catching Dest.
“When we got here, he wasn’t doing so well,” Xavi said after Barcelona’s recent 4-1 thrashing of Valencia. “But now he is doing great.
“I thought he was spectacularly good (against Valencia), both with the ball and without it. I am really happy with his progress.”
Will Sergino Dest leave Barcelona for Arsenal?
What’s more, Barcelona are confident about sealing the signing of Cesar Azpilicueta from Chelsea (Athletic). The evergreen Dani Alves, meanwhile, is expected to sign a contract extension at a suddenly upwardly-mobile Blaugrana.
All of this feels little harsh on Dest. He, like the always affable Garfield in that-early 2010 Spidermen reboot, is hardly the problem. He should not be blamed for the failures of those around him and, at times, he was the only man on show worth watching.
But with Xavi favouring a hard reset, an overhaul of the cast and a fresh start, a man who signed on Ronald Koeman’s watch appears to have taken on the role of a sacrificial lamb.
The Garfield to Mazraoui’s Holland, if you like.
From Spain to London?
Though a still-just-21-year-old full-back – one capable of playing on either flank – will not be short of offers from outside the Camp Nou. Bayern Munich are long-time admirers.
Dest, like fellow targets Isaiah Jones and Djed Spence, ticks plenty of boxes as far as Mikel Arteta is concerned. He would offer more of an attacking threat than the disciplined, defensively-minded Tomiyasu and, like Cedric, can offer cover on the left if required.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona could accept just £16 million for Dest. Not only is he young, exciting and tailor-made for Arsenal’s style of play, he’s also affordable too.
What’s not to like?
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