Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on the situation of Barcelona defender Sergino Dest, who could be sold by the La Liga giants in January.
According to a report from MARCA, Arsenal are showing an interest in securing the services of Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest, who is also on the radars of Bayern Munich.
Dest signed for Barcelona in the summer last year, in a deal worth up to €26 million. However, he has failed to nail down a place in the starting XI at Camp Nou due to inconsistent displays and defensive vulnerabilities in his game. The 21-year-old had been in and out of the side under Ronald Koeman, and things have not improved under new boss Xavi Hernandez.
Indeed, reports in Spain have claimed that the 41-year-old tactician has decided to cash in on Dest in January as he does not view him as a crucial part of his plans. With Barcelona in desperate need of funds to make signings, an exit seems very much likely next month, and there appears to be no shortage of suitors for the ex-Ajax starlet.
Bayern Munich have been long-term admirers of the USMNT international and are interested in signing him up should an opportunity present itself. They have been joined by Premier League bigwigs Arsenal in the hunt for the 21-year-old Dest.
Arsenal brought in a new right-back last summer, signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna. The Japanese international has settled in well at the Emirates, relegating the likes of Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers to the bench. The latter is expected to be on his way out in January in search of regular playing time, while Cedric has hardly inspired confidence when playing.
With Hector Bellerin also expected to be offloaded permanently next summer after he returns from his loan spell at Real Betis, Arsenal would need a new right-back to provide cover and competition to Tomiyasu. And, with Dest now being available in the January transfer window, the north London giants have set their sights on the young right-back.
The report adds that Barcelona value the 21-year-old in the range of €30-35 million, which should not be a problem for Arsenal. However, it has been previously claimed that Dest wants to move to Bayern Munich. And with the German giants able to offer European football and a real shot at winning trophies, the United States ace might be tempted to move to Bavaria over north London.
