Sergino Dest having Barcelona medical ahead of €20m transfer, Ronald Koeman confirms
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has confirmed that American right-back Sergino Dest is undergoing a medical at the Catalan club ahead of a transfer from Ajax.
The two teams have been finalising a deal for the 19-year-old early this week and the defender is now in Barcelona to complete a move for around €20 million plus variables.
"Sergino is doing his medical exam and he still has to sign," Koeman said in a press conference on Wednesday.
"Until he has signed, I prefer not to speak too much. We are going to count on a young full-back. It's also part of changing things for the future.
"He will have to compete with the other full-backs. He is young and has played in the Champions League. I'm sure he will be very useful."
Dest comes in to replace Nelson Semedo, who was sold to Wolves earlier this month for around €35m, and has been compared to former Barca icon Dani Alves.
Koeman had wanted to select Dest for the Dutch national team when he was in charge, but the youngster opted to represent the United States.
"I spoke to Sergino about him playing for Holland," he said. "But finally he decided on the United States. No problem. It's good for American football."
