According to the Spanish newspaper Sport (via Football London), Arsenal are reportedly interested in Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest as they plan to strengthen their right-back options.
Arteta’s rebuilding project includes bolstering the right-back department. With Hector Bellerin poised to leave the club this summer, Arsenal are stepping up their search to find a replacement for the Spaniard. Bellerin has been with the Gunners for 10 years, since joining them in 2011.
Despite having two years left on his current contract, the Spanish full-back wants a move away. Among many suitors, Inter Milan are the most interested party to sign him, who are looking to replace the void left by Achraf Hakimi. The player also wants to join the Serie A champions.
Arsenal make approach to sign Barcelona ace Sergino Dest for £25.7millionhttps://t.co/xJ3XOSVnVW pic.twitter.com/DF7D5tNLQe
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 19, 2021
Arsenal have been linked with several players to fill the right-back role, but nothing concrete has come out yet. Everton’s Jonjoe Kenny and Norwich City’s Max Aarons have also been linked with a switch to the Emirates. However, Arsenal are very interested in signing Sergino Dest as a replacement and reports claim that they have made an approach for the £27.5million-rated USA international.
Juventus and Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested in Dest’s services, according to Sport. Barcelona have 3 players in the right-back department and are looking to offload some players, given the financial problems with their wage bill.
The 20-year-old right-back had an amazing 20/21 season with the LaLiga giants, having joined them last year from Ajax. He featured in 41 games for the Blaugrana, scoring 3 goals in the process and has earned plaudits from various professionals including fellow teammate Jordi Alba.
Dest excels in attacking output and has outstanding ball retention. His rapid movement to the opposition third illustrates his offensive intentions, not to mention his dangerous speed and acceleration. With his trademark incisive runs into the opponent’s penalty box, Dest boasts an Infogol rating of 6.34 in the 20/21 La Liga season.
His pace is a perfect fit for the Premier League, replacing the fast Bellerin with another speedy player will be the ideal solution. Whether or not he will be the choice for the right-back position rests with Arteta, but given his qualities, it is understandable why Dest is on the list.
Nevertheless, it would be great if Arteta searches the transfer market for Premier League-proven players. What the squad needs right now are a massive overhaul and players who know the pace of the league and have some experience of playing in the English top flight.
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Although Sergino Dest is a top prospect, Max Aarons of Norwich City is a proven player in the Premier League and would not take much time to settle in. Having already done marvellous things for Norwich in the top flight and still doing it in the Championship, Max Aarons seems to be a better fit compared to Dest. Moreover, the 21-year-old full-back would cost much less than the Barcelona defender, coming from a lower division team.
Arteta has a lot of pressure on his shoulders and it is expected that he will be given a complete season before the board decides his future. Though they have already signed Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga and the Ben White transfer is pending, Arsenal still need several positions to be revamped – right-back, attacking-midfield and goalkeeper. Only time will tell what plans the manager has for his team.
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