Barcelona defender to return to the club this summer

Barcelona’s task of bringing their wage cap in line with La Liga’s demands this summer is set to get harder, with Sergiño Dest set to return to Camp Nou.

The former Ajax man, who moved to Catalonia under Ronald Koeman was deemed not good enough for Xavi’s squad ahead of the current season. He was allowed to join AC Milan on loan during the summer transfer window.

The Serie A outfit were also offered an option to buy the right-back for €20m. But now it is being reported that he will return to the club this summer, with Milan not keen on buying him at the end of the season.

Milan’s transfer strategy of last summer has not worked out as planned. Alongside Dest, Charles De Ketelaere, Divock Origi, and Malick Thiaw have all failed to establish themselves as regular starters under Stefano Pioli. The 22-year-old has only managed two league starts in Italy.

Barcelona defender to return to the club this summer

Dest’s return may also impact Barcelona’s transfer plans. Xavi needs a new right-back, having spent a large part of the season deploying centre-backs (Ronald Araújo and Jules Koundé) and a midfielder (Sergi Roberto) on the right flank.

The Dutch full-back thrives in an attacking role, while the Barca boss has so far used his right-back in a conservative manner, allowing the left-back to join the attack instead.

The La Liga leaders are understood to be monitoring  the likes of Diogo Dalot, Juan Foyth, and João Cancelo. But before jumping into the transfer market, they will have to sort out the future of Dest.

Further, the international break has added another defensive concern to the table. Andreas Christensen has been ruled out of Barcelona’s home clash against Real Madrid early in April after suffering an injury to his left calf whilst playing for Denmark against Finland on Thursday.