Manchester United report: Red Devils turn attention to ANOTHER Barcelona player

Sergino Dest
(Image credit: Getty)

Manchester United are considering a move for Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest, according to reports.

The Red Devils have already agreed a £63m fee with Barcelona for the transfer of Frenkie de Jong.

That deal has been held up due to the player's reluctance to move to Old Trafford, but United could have more success in their pursuit of Dest.

The United States international would cost Erik ten Hag's side around £17m, according to Spanish publication Sport.

Barcelona have spent big money this summer on the likes of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde.

Erik ten Hag

(Image credit: Mike Owen/Getty Images)

They now need to balance the books by selling some of the fringe members of their squad, and Dest is among those for whom Barcelona are willing to listen to offers.

The 21-year-old started 17 La Liga matches last term, but he was a more prominent figure under Ronald Koeman than Xavi Hernandez.

Dest, who is able to play at both right-back and left-back, has experience of working with Ten Hag during the pair's time together at Ajax.

He is more naturally suited to playing on the right-hand side of the back four, where United currently have two options in Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

But with the latter facing an uncertain future due to doubts over whether he suits Ten Hag's favoured style of play, Dest could be signed as a replacement.

His versatility means he could also play higher up the flank if required, or cover for Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia at left-back.

However, United may need to wait and see if Barcelona bring in a left-back of their own before they allow Dest to depart.

The Blaugrana are hoping to sign Marcos Alonso from Chelsea, but that deal has been held up until the Blues secure a replacement.

United will begin the new Premier League season with a game against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).