Arsenal make Sergino Dest transfer approach at Barcelona

Arsenal have four problem positions left in the squad to bolster in the summer transfer window and their likelihood of securing all of them, with three all-but in the bag already, isn’t strong.

It’s in the centre of the pitch where the primary issues lie. A central midfielder – not set to be Manuel Locatelli – and a No. 10/playmaker are the additions that will elevate Arsenal as a functioning force.

These two deals have to be right and have to be seen to this window. It would be a catastrophe if neither were.

Aside from there it’s in goal where another addition will be made, one that has Aaron Ramsdale written all over it. The Sheffield United goalkeeper will not come cheap, but remains as Mikel Arteta’s first choice option in that department with movement on that front expected shortly following the end of Euro 2020.

Arsenal make Sergino Dest transfer approach at Barcelona with Mikel Arteta eyeing Hector Bellerin’s replacement in the summer window

Finally, there is right-back.

Were September 1 to come around without one being brought in it wouldn’t be ideal. It wouldn’t be cataclysmic, either. Calum Chambers is a decent option in that department (if only he were a few yards quicker) and while an upgrade can most certainly be acquired, it’s bottom of the list in terms of priority.

Focus is rightly centered in other areas but were an opportunity to arise then Arsenal are ready to pounce. Amid the ongoing debacle that is Barcelona, Sergino Dest could be one solution.

Nobody is free from being sold at Camp Nou barring an obvious few, including the exciting young defender they only just signed 12 months ago. Hopelessly in debt and in need of accruing monumental funding, most of Europe has the chance to acquire some talent.

As per Sport, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Arsenal have all made an approach to La Blaugrana around Dest’s future. Boasting three right-backs on their books, Dest will garner the biggest fee of them all and if the right offer arrives it would be hard for them to turn it down.

That is said to be around the £26m mark, which would constitute only a minor profit for Barça and can be deemed a bargain given his ability, age and length of contract remaining.

While what is being mentioned in the report requires the necessary degree of scepticism, and what level of approach Arsenal have made is unclear, given the state of Barcelona and the profile of the player, the only surprise would be if the Gunners hadn’t had made any contact yet.

He’s someone Arteta will like.

Continued…

Sergino Dest Would a Logical Signing at Arsenal Under Mikel Arteta

With Hector Bellerin due to leave this summer, who Arsenal bring in needs to offer similar attacking strengths, with the welcome addition of being much better than the Spaniard, of course.

Neither Cedric nor Calum Chambers are especially attack-minded full-backs who will make penalty box entries frequently and the desire for a front-footed option means links to Dest make sense.

What the USMNT international offers is huge attacking output backed up by outstanding ball retention. His time with Ajax, albeit only short in the first team, and across his sole season in La Liga demonstrated this.

Boasting 96th percentile figures for progressive carries and 98th for carries into the penalty area, his trademark incisive runs into the box illustrate his attacking intentions and the speed of these movements are particularly threatening.

Dest’s defensive numbers don’t stack up as highly but they come with the caveat of Barcelona’s usual dominance in La Liga. With low tackling numbers, highlighting his excellent pace, strong technical ability and direct approach instead shows his usage in a possession-based team as well as his threat in transition.

Whether he is the right choice or not rests on Arteta’s shoulders but it would make sense for him to be among their options given his skillset.

Or maybe there is a change of pace with the profile, in which case Arteta may look to another Barcelona right-back.

Continued…

Emerson Royal Offers Mikel Arteta a Different Profile

Having signed Nuno Tavares and already having Kieran Tierney could imply a different approach. Both attack-minded, there may be some balance sought on the opposite flank in which case Emerson Royal, who was heavily linked with Arsenal earlier in the window, may also be an option.

Barcelona want to sell one of their right-backs and due to Dest’s potential would be the preferred choice, thus the 22-year-old Emerson may be revisited (if he was indeed visited at all).

Emerson was an intriguing case earlier this summer having been on the books at Real Betis and also partly owned by Barça. The Spanish side took up the option to bring him to Camp Nou for £7.8m, potentially with a view to selling him on for a larger fee. They do need money, after all, and haven’t even been able to register him yet due to the excessive wages on their budget.

Emerson’s attacking output is distinctly weaker than Dest’s but his defensive numbers are exceptional: 93rd percentile for tackles and interceptions per 90 and 85th percentile for aerials won among the highlights.

More of the Chambers mould, his ability to drift infield and hold a midfield slot with ease offers a different profile entirely to Dest, but one Arteta could decide to favour. Ben White’s arrival may negate that need but it was clear last season with Bellerin that he was being bestowed with a different role to usual.

Primarily an overlapping player he drifted into half-spaces either side of the halfway line, a role Chambers fulfilled too when Thomas Partey was positioned as the sole holding midfielder. Emerson has the comfort of doing that.

It comes down to what the manager wants, of course. Before the window opened it was widely reported that an attacking option was on the menu, but additions elsewhere could alter that. In any case, there are two in Catalonia that suit whatever it is Arteta wants.

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