Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest has affirmed that he sees himself remaining at Camp Nou this summer amid ongoing speculation surrounding his next career move.
The 22-year-old has struggled to get into Xavi's good books since arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2020 and was loaned out to AC Milan for the 2022-23 campaign.
Dest was unable to reignite his career at San Siro either, only featuring on 14 occasions for Stefano Pioli's side and failing to contribute a single goal or assist.
The USA international was named in the starting XI just twice in the 2022-23 Serie A season, although he was also hampered by injuries and did not make the Milan squad for their final 11 league matches.
Barcelona still have Dest under contract for another two seasons, but the Blaugrana have been widely expected to do away with the defender in the coming weeks as they search for fresh options on the right-hand side of defence.
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Nevertheless, Dest has defiantly claimed that he sees himself staying with the Blaugrana and has revealed that Xavi has given him the chance to prove himself in pre-season.
"Yes, I see myself staying. Obviously, I have to prove myself during the pre-season. I'm fully focused on myself at the moment," Marca quotes Dest as saying.
"It's up to me and I feel like I can and I will prove it. My mindset is to stay here and to have like a really nice season and to follow through with Barca.
"I don't want to give too much information about what we discussed. At the end of the day, he just told me like, 'Okay, I'll give you a fair chance to prove yourself', so that's what it is at the moment.
"He also told me, 'I think you have qualities but it's up to you, you have to show me', and I fully agree. I think it is up to me. I think I have some qualities that can be good for the team, but I have to show them and be consistent."
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All of Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Union Berlin are rumoured to be keeping a close eye on Dest's situation, but Barcelona will not be bullied into a sale.
La Blaugrana forked out €21m (£18m) to poach Dest from Ajax in the summer of 2020, and the defender has since scored three goals and set up four more in 72 matches for the club.
Dest has already won one Copa del Rey title in Catalonian colours and became a two-time CONCACAF Nations League winner with the USA last month, although he missed their 2-0 win over Canada in the final through suspension.
Barcelona will face four fellow European powerhouses in the USA as part of the Soccer Champions Tour, starting with a clash against Juventus in San Francisco on July 22 before a showdown with Arsenal in Los Angeles four days later.
Xavi's side will then tackle El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in Dallas on July 29, prior to another blockbuster tie with Dest's former loan club Milan in Las Vegas on August 1.
Ben Knapton
