What’s next for Sergino Dest? Serious injury of USMNT star at PSV, return to Barcelona, ​​​​possible transfer

Now that another summer is approaching, by Sergino Dest The future is in limbo after a cruciate ligament injury that could sideline him for nine months. Not only will he miss the Copa America for the United States men’s national team this summer, causing concern for manager Gregg Berhalter, but his next club is also in question after manager Peter Bosz confirmed that PSV Eindhoven will not accept the purchase option. Dest’s loan is moved from Barcelona permanent.

While this doesn’t mean Dest won’t return to the Dutch club, it does create quite a bit of uncertainty ahead of a time that should bring stability for the young right-back after what became a lost 2022-2023 season. between Barcelona and AC Milan. Dest was in one of the best forms of his career and helped PSV to the Dutch title. He made 37 appearances in all competitions, registering two goals and seven assists. Playing for an attacking team that emphasizes possession brought the best out of the 23-year-old and now his reward for his good work could be a return to Barcelona to see out the final season of his contract.

It would be a shame if that were the outcome, but depending on what Barcelona ask of teams interested in Dest, it could be another lost season.

Here’s what you need to know:

A return to PSV

Declining a purchase option for an injured player may be common as it allows the team to negotiate better terms. If Dest has played in the majority of PSV’s games, this could be an option, but it depends on what Barcelona want to get out of the deal. Given that Barcelona are looking to raise money for their own summer business as they face their own financial problems, there is a chance that they are hoping to get more suitors for Dest, but given the situation of Zack Steffenwho suffered a knee injury before he planned to leave Manchester city Last summer there was always a chance that waiting would hurt both the player and the club.

When Bosz spoke about Dest, he was very complimentary about him, which only reinforces the idea that PSV would rather get a deal done.

“I speak for myself as a coach and as a staff,” said Bosz. “I would really like to have him there. We clicked in the way we played. We clicked as a person. It clicked with the group of players.

“He has actually played well all season. Then you want to keep him. The same applies to the club. I think they would also like to keep him there.”

These comments were made after Dest’s injury, which makes it easier to believe, but the ball is not entirely in PSV’s court.

His contract with Barcelona expires

While this would be the worst option for Dest as next season would be a lost season for him, it is also an option that gives him the most flexibility. With a contract set to expire with Barcelona in the summer of 2025, Dest could negotiate a free transfer with teams from January. As he will be out injured until then, this means Dest can use Barcelona’s facilities to focus on recovery, but if he is still on the fringes of the squad under Xavi Hernandez, this would mean that Dest would likely not play a game next season.

It would be a shame if two of his final three seasons were lost at a time crucial to his development. But for this to happen, a club would have to have trouble making deals with both Dest and Barcelona this summer. The American has shown that he is talented enough for a team to take risks against him, which could avoid this scenario.

Ajax lurking

After one of their worst seasons in recent memory, the winds of change are blowing through Amsterdam as Ajax not only have to find a new manager, but also transfer a large part of the squad. This is a proud team that should be competing for places in the Champions League and not miss out on European play completely. Being where Dest made his debut, Ajax could be a good homecoming destination for him, but in some ways it feels like he’s admitting his failure.

Dest challenged himself by leaving Ajax for Barcelona and although there were bumps in the road, he has emerged as a better player who is now winning the league with PSV. If he returns to Ajax to be part of a rebuild without European football in prospect, it will not really be an improvement on his current situation at PSV. If Dest remains in the Eredivisie, it makes the most sense for him to stay at PSV and take back the title, while remaining a dominant force in the league. The Netherlands.