90min

Ronald Koeman Confirms Sergino Dest Medical Ahead of Barcelona Move

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

Sergino Dest is close to signing for Barcelona
Sergino Dest is close to signing for Barcelona / Soccrates Images/Getty Images
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Ronaldo Koeman has confirmed that Sergino Dest is undergoing a medical on Wednesday ahead of a move to Barcelona.

Dest has long been linked with the Blaugrana, having impressed for Ajax last season. The 19-year-old broke into the first team during the 2019/2020 campaign, making 36 appearances and laying on six assists from right-back.

Dest loves bursting forward from defence
Dest loves bursting forward from defence / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

The United States international will soon become Barça's fifth signing of the current transfer window with Koeman confirming he was undertaking his medical during a press conference on Wednesday.

“Sergiño Dest is undergoing a medical examination. It is important to have young players for the future of this club," he said (via Ronan Murphy).

Dest has been recruited as a direct replacement to Nelson Semedo, who recently joined Wolves for around £27m - adding to Nuno Espirito Santo's already sizable contingent of Portuguese players.

Dest's signing represents a triumph of Barcelona's pulling power, after enduring a difficult summer. Following an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, there was significant upheaval at the club.

Dest is Nelson Semedo's replacement at Camp Nou
Dest is Nelson Semedo's replacement at Camp Nou / ANP Sport/Getty Images

Most notably, Lionel Messi sensationally revealed his desire to leave the club. However, there was plenty more controversy that followed. Luis Suarez entered a war of words with the Barça hierarchy before moving to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, while a fan group also started a petition to get president Josep Maria Bartomeu ousted from his role.

In spite of all this, Dest has still chosen to join the Blaugrana over Champions League holders Bayern. Die Roten were very keen on the youngster and submitted a bid well before Barcelona did. It was reported recently that Bayern feel "betrayed" over the transfer. They believe Ajax always favoured Dest joining the Catalan giants thanks to the strong relationship between the two clubs.

Upon his arrival, Dest is likely to become first choice at Camp Nou, and will hope to aid Koeman in turning Barça's fortunes around both domestically and on the European stage.