Barcelona are likely to miss a transfer fee for Sergio Dest, from the back of a series of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The Blaugrana could do with the extra money, but luck did not favor them in this case.
According to Brand, PSV Eindhoven do not intend to pay a single euro for Dest. The USMNT defender spent this year on loan in the Eredivisie, and impressed at left back, and it was expected that PSV would pay for him, with talk of a deal of more than 5 million euros.
Assane Diao has been offered to Barcelona. The Real Betis winger could be available for €15 million. @mondu sportiu
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 20, 2024
However, his injury will see Dest out until January 2025 at least, at which point he will be free to negotiate a deal with whoever he likes. PSV will instead look to reach an agreement with Dest for the summer of 2025, when he will be fit again. It means Barcelona will pick up the bill not only for his salary, but also for his €4.2m amortization for this year, a significant swing.
Realistically the summer was Barcelona's last chance to sell Dest, and given his recent form, he even looked set to attract a bidding war, but those hopes have evaporated. Of course, it is Dest himself who suffers most of the injury, but Barcelona's accountants are also down on their luck.
