Charles Jackson
As another summer approaches, Sergino Dest His future is in limbo after an ACL injury that could sideline him for nine months. Not only will he miss the Copa América with the United States men’s national team this summer, creating concerns for coach Gregg Berhalter, but his next club is also in question after coach Peter Bosz confirmed that PSV Eindhoven will not take up the purchase option for make Dest’s loan was transferred from Barcelona permanent.
While this does not mean that Dest will not return to the Dutch club, it does create a bit of uncertainty ahead of a period that was supposed to bring stability for the young right-back after what has become a lost 2022-23 season. between Barcelona and AC Milan. Dest was at the best of his career helping PSV win the Dutch title, making 37 appearances in all competitions, registering two goals and seven assists. Playing for an attacking team that emphasizes possession has gotten the best out of the 23-year-old and now his reward for good work could be a return to Barcelona to finish out the final season of his contract.
It would be a shame if that were the result, but depending on what Barcelona asks of teams interested in Dest, it could be another lost season.
Here’s what you should know:
A return to PSV
Declining a buyout option for an injured player can be a common practice as it allows the team to look to negotiate better terms. Considering that Dest played in most of PSV’s games, this could be an option, but it depends on what Barcelona want to get out of the deal. Considering that Barcelona will want to raise funds for their own summer deal whilst dealing with their own financial difficulties, there is a chance that they could be hopeful that more suitors could come for Dest, but considering the situation of Zack Steffenwho suffered a knee injury before planning his departure City of Manchester last summer, there was always the chance that waiting could harm both player and club.
When talking about Dest, Bosz was very complementary, which only reinforces the idea that PSV prefers to close a deal.
“I’m speaking for myself as a coach and as a team,” Bosz said. “I would really like to have him there. It worked in the way we played. He worked as a person. He worked with the group of players.
“He’s played well all season too. So you want to keep him. The same goes for the club, actually. I think they’d like to keep him there too.”
These comments were made after Dest’s injury, which makes it easier to believe, but the ball is not entirely in PSV’s court.
Terminating his contract with Barcelona
While this is the worst option for Dest in making next season a lost season for him, it is also the one that gives him the most flexibility. With a contract that ends in the summer of 2025 with Barcelona, Dest will be able to negotiate with teams from January to join on a free transfer. As he will be injured until then, it means Dest can use Barcelona’s facilities to focus on his recovery, but if he is still out of the squad under xavi Hernandez, that would mean Dest would likely not play next season.
Having two of his last three seasons lost during a critical period for his development would be a shame, but for that to happen a club would need to have trouble agreeing terms with both Dest and Barcelona this summer. The American has shown that he is talented enough for a team to take a risk on him, which could prevent this scenario from happening.
Ajax imminent
Coming off one of the worst seasons in recent history, the winds of change are blowing in Amsterdam, as Ajax need to not only find a new coach, but also transfer a large part of the squad. This is a proud team that should compete for Champions League places and not miss out on European play altogether. Being where Dest burst onto the scene, Ajax could be a good homecoming destination for him, but in some ways, it seems to admit failure.
Dest challenged himself by leaving Ajax for Barcelona and although there were obstacles along the way, he has emerged from it as a better player, now winning the league with PSV. If he returns to Ajax without European football on the horizon to be part of a rebuild, it won’t really be an improvement on his current situation with PSV. If Dest stays in the Eredivisie, it makes more sense for him to stay at PSV and try to regain the title while remaining a dominant force in the Eredivisie. Netherlands.
