AC Milan will not trigger €20 million purchase option to sign Barcelona loanee – report

According to MARCA, AC Milan have not changed their stance on Sergino Dest. The Serie A giants are not too enthusiastic on keeping hold of the Barcelona star, who joined the club on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

Dest’s loan deal had a permanent purchase clause worth €20 million. But they do not plan on exercising that option as the American international has not convinced coach Stefano Pioli and has fallen behind in the pecking order.

As we look ahead to the summer transfer window, Milan seek to reduce their salary budget in an attempt to increase their purchasing power in the market. As part of the plan, they wish to get Dest off the squad, in light of his subpar performance and high salary.

However, it must be noted that the Rossoneri are not willingly letting go of Dest. They are ready to offer the American the chance to make a breakthrough and with Pioli recently shifting to a three-at-the-back system, it could offer the youngster the opportunity to establish himself on the first team.

Unfortunately for Dest, the competition is stiff, especially with Alessandro Florenzi now returning from injury. It effectively makes the Barcelona starlet, not the third, but possibly the fourth option at right wing-back, behind the likes of Davide Calabria, Junior Messias, Alexis Saelemaekers and now Florenzi.

A return to Camp Nou, therefore, is the likely outcome for Dest in the summer. It is quite clear that Barça coach Xavi is not fond of the American either, so they are expected to either find a new destination for the right-back this summer or sanction his sale permanently, with a €12 million fee being talked about in the media.

Dest’s departure could go a long way in freeing up more space in the defensive unit, as Barcelona look to bolster their options in the fullback department, with Benjamin Pavard emerging as one of the options.