Transfers: Barcelona identify 24-year-old replacement for Sergino Dest

When Sergino Dest was signed from Ajax last season, it was thought that Barcelona had found the long-term solution to their problems at the right-back position. Though the player had his shortcomings, one expected the young talent to grow with experience.

Since his debut at Barcelona, Dest has proven to be a proactive presence in the final third. His ability to dribble through right spaces helps the side bring the right-wing to life. Yet, his defensive play has remained stagnant and continues to be a liability for the team.

Read also: Sergino Dest’s future at Barcelona is on the line

Given his underwhelming development, Barcelona have begun looking for alternatives in the transfer market, according to the reliable Gerard Romero. The report is supported by Fernando Polo too.

Sergiño Dest is for sale. The club want to get some money out of him before he loses market value.

— @ffpolo pic.twitter.com/O3PjeTwrZu

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 13, 2021

Unsurprisingly, the board’s attention has once again been drawn to a player from Ajax.

Noussair Mazraoui is in the final year of his contract at Amsterdam and has made up his mind to leave the club in the summer, claims Romero. The youngster is eyeing a move to an elite club in Europe, and needless to say already has many suitors interested.

Barcelona hope to secure his signing as a free transfer come June. The young defender’s agent is Mino Raiola, with whom Joan Laporta had a meeting just recently in Italy. Not to mention that other players represented by the superagent were on the table as well, such as Erling Haaland, Xavi Simons, and Paul Pogba.

Mazraoui has started 14 games for the Eredivisie side this season and has already garnered superb numbers. He has scored four goals and provided two assists this season. Moreover, the Moroccan international has created 24 chances with 22 key passes so far.

Mino Raiola is known to be very firm with his negotiations, and that could be a burden on the pocket. Yet, Laporta’s excellent relationship with the superagent could be the decisive factor.