AC Milan refuse to pay up for Barcelona flop Dest

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 23 Jan 2023 09:06 GMT
• 3 min read

AC Milan have told Barcelona they have no intention of paying Sergino Dest’s €20 million option in his loan contract.

Dest moved to San Siro last summer on a one-year loan, with the option of a permanent transfer until 2027 if the buy clausen of around €20m is triggered.

However, the United States international has been a big disappointment at San Siro and has failed to make any kind of impact so far.

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The right-back has made just three starts in all competitions, with no goals or assists.

As a result, according to journalist Achraf Ben Ayad, Milan have told Barca they will not buy him out for the set fee.

There is the possibility MIlan could negotiate a lower fee but the most likely outcome right now is that he either stays for another year on loan or returns to Barca.

Barcelona would then look to sell him on to another team as he has no future at Camp Nou.

Dest at Barcelona

Dest had joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2020 and was tipped to become a big star at the club.

However, the 22-year-old largely struggled to realise his potential at Camp Nou.

He made 72 appearances for Barcelona and slipped down the pecking order last season.

Barcelona signed Hector Bellerin on a free transfer to replace Dest, but he has proven to be a big flop also.

As a result, the Blaugrana have made the signing of a new top right-back a priority in 2023.

As for Milan, they are counting the cost of a disappointing 2022 summer transfer window, with all of their new signings failing to impress.

The likes of Charles De Ketelaere, Divock Origi and Yacine Adli have all struggled, resulting in Milan falling away from leaders Napoli at the top of Serie A.