Barcelona defender considering loan proposal from Villarreal – Fabrizio Romano

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a bombshell on the future of Barcelona outcast Sergino Dest. The player, frozen out of the senior team by Xavi, is now considering leaving, with a loan proposal from Villarreal on the table.

The Yellow Submarines are already in negotiations with Barcelona over the move, but the final decision will come down to the player. He has received zero minutes in the opening three games so far, and this pattern could cause problems for him ahead of the World Cup.

Romano also confirms Manchester United’s interest in the American, suggesting that Erik ten Hag wants to sign him. However, they will be unable to move ahead with the transfer unless Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaves the club.

Yesterday, it was reported that Dest had turned down a proposal from Villarreal as he only wanted to succeed at Barcelona. He believes if and when given the chance, he could gain his place back on the team.

However, that chance is unlikely to come by, as Xavi confirmed in back-to-back press conferences that the club is, in fact, looking for a new right-back. Further, when asked about Dest, the manager refused to elaborate.

“He knows his situation,” Xavi said about the 21-year-old.

That said, Xavi’s leading choice for the right-back role was Cesar Azpilicueta, who extended his contract with Chelsea for another two years. Then the club targetted Juan Foyth, who picked up a lengthy injury, and, therefore, was ruled out.

Finally, it seems the club settled on Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier, before he, too, was dismissed as too expensive. Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin is the club’s leading choice to replace Dest right now, but no talks have taken place yet.