GOAL

Barcelona have pipped Bayern Munich to the signing of Ajax star Sergiño Dest, the Catalan outfit have confirmed.

Dest, 19, came to prominence with a stellar Eredivisie season in 2019-20, helping lead his side to first place in the Dutch top flight before the campaign was declared null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

That form had led to a fierce tussle over his future, with both Barca and the reigning German and European champions keen to add the USMNT international to their ranks. 

Bayern at first appeared to have the upper hand in negotiations, with reports suggesting that the Bavarians had struck a deal with both Dest and Ajax to add the teenager to their ranks. 

But to the Germans' chagrin Barcelona stole in with a €21 million (£19m/$25m) deal with Ajax, higher than the offer filed from Allianz Arena, and upon agreement of personal terms the Blaugrana have clinched the signing. 

A statement from the Liga giants on their official website read: “FC Barcelona and Ajax have reached an agreement for the transfer of Sergiño Dest. The cost of the operation is 21 million euros plus a further five million in variables.

“The player will sign a contract for the next five seasons, through to the end of the 2024/25 season, with a buyout clause set at 400 million euros.

“Sergiño Dest combines many excellent qualities needed in a full back: attacking when called for, solid defensively, unruffled in possession and creative with it.

“The defender has the ability to take players on and his pace is a virtue going forward and defending. Those qualities will be on display from now on in a Barca shirt, a challenge for a fearless young full-back.”

Dest arrives at Camp Nou with the opportunity to stake his claim for the right-back spot following the exit of Nelson Semedo to Wolves.

Born in the Netherlands, he nevertheless chose to represent the United States at international level, being eligible through his Surinamese-American father. 

The full-back represented the US at Under-17 and 20 level before making his senior debut against Mexico in September 2019, the first of three caps he has accrued to date.