Italian giants not ready to trigger buy option for Barcelona defender

According to the latest report from Fabrizio Romano, Sergino Dest will return to Barcelona at the end of the season and then discuss his future. There have been no changes in his situation since December.

The player is currently on a season-long loan at AC Milan in Serie A. The Catalans hoped for the youngster to impress in Italy and anticipated that the Rossoneri would trigger the €20 million to make his move permanent.

However, that did not seem close to happening at any point in the season. AC Milan still do not plan to on using the option to sign the player in June, forcing him back to his parent club.

Despite moving to the Rossoneri back in September, Dest has only made eight appearances and two starts for the team in Serie A. His last game for the club came back in January when he started against Lazio in a 4-0 defeat.

In the short time that Xavi and Dest shared in Barcelona, it was glaringly clear that they did not see eye to eye. The manager did not take long to realise that the USMNT star did not fit into his dynamics and asked for him to be sent on loan.

The situation when he returns to Catalonia, thus, will be interesting.

Earlier today, it was reported that the Blaugranas would likely sacrifice their need for a right-back to fortify other positions on the field. Despite that, it is highly unlikely that Dest will be given an opportunity by Xavi at Barcelona next season.

In the 2021-22 season in La Liga, the youngster made 17 starts in 21 appearances and provided three assists in that duration. While he was influential in the final third, his defensive lapses appeared to be his undoing.

Reports suggest that the young right-back has suitors in Spain and Barça would ideally hope to recover the €20 million they spent on his signing in 2020. What seems clear is that AC Milan will not be signing him permanently.