Barcelona to give 22-year-old outcast a chance in pre-season, player wants to stay

Barcelona’s pursuit of a new right-back led them to the doors of Ivan Fresneda. The Real Valladolid starlet is a promising talent at just 18 years of age and is being looked at as the ideal candidate to complete the defensive line in the long term on low cost.

However, the economic situation does not permit them the liberty to sign him as it stands. With Barcelona struggling with player sales, there is not enough room to accommodate more new players. After all, it is the same reason that has halted Vitor Roque’s arrival until January.

With the option of signing a new right-back being tricky, the Catalans could turn to the existing squad in the hope of a solution. And according to reports from SPORT, Sergino Dest could be the solution Xavi and Barcelona are looking for.

It is no secret that the Spanish tactician does not hold Dest in very high regard, for he pushed strongly for the defender’s exit last summer. A return to the Blaugrana colours appeared next to impossible for Dest after the disappointing season on loan at AC Milan, but the doors might open one final time for him.

According to the report, the USMNT star has already joined the team for preseason training and has a lot to prove after a largely unconvincing loan spell at AC Milan. Given that the club have limited offers on the table for him, he will have a shot to prove his worth in the upcoming preseason campaign.

Both the club administration and management believe that the youngster has something special to offer in the final third. His attacking quality has never been in doubt.

However, his consistency and tactical understanding have been weak points and the coming weeks will be critical in re-evaluating the same.

Dest is determined to turn around his situation under Xavi Hernandez and wants to stay at the club as long as he gets minutes. And the 22-year-old should be optimistic about his chances given that the club’s pre-season games are in his home nation.