Erik ten Hag’s £17.5m swoop for Sergino Dest ‘was REJECTED by Man United’s football director John Murtough’ because he wanted to ‘keep faith’ with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka rather than move for the Barcelona defender
- Manchester United’s John Murtough reportedly blocked a move for Sergino Dest
- United boss Erik ten Hag was keen on signing the former Ajax man this summer
- The football director instead kept faith in Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Dest instead joined AC Milan on loan, who have an option to buy for £17.5million
Manchester United football director John Murtough blocked a summer move for Sergino Dest, according to a report.
Barcelona were willing to part ways with the American full-back in the transfer window in order to help balance finances, and United boss Erik ten Hag was keen to bring Dest, who he had previously worked with at Ajax, to Old Trafford.
But according to The Athletic, Murtough was keen to stick with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as right-back options going forward.
Dest eventually moved to AC Milan on loan, with the Italian side holding the option to buy for £17.5million.
Sergino Dest reportedly could have joined Manchester United for £17.5million this summer
Manchester United football director John Murtough (right) is said to have blocked the move
According to The Sun, the Serie A champions beat off competition from Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund to sign the 21-year-old, moving swiftly after regular right-back Alessandro Florenzi suffered a serious injury.
Xavi’s side reportedly considered a swap deal with Borussia Dortmund for Thomas Meunier, and debated using Dest in negotiations to sign Juan Foyth from Villarreal, but negotiations didn’t progress very far.
At United, Dalot has started all seven league games so far, with Wan-Bissaka playing just four minutes of football, coming on as a late substitute against Liverpool.
United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to reunite with Dest having worked with him at Ajax
The right-back instead joined AC Milan, who have an option to buy for £17.5million, on loan
United struggled in the transfer window, eventually spending north of £230million on six players including former Ajax stars Lisandro Martinez and Antony.