The Sergiño Dest Chelsea rumors are at an all-time high for the 2022 winter transfer window. Dest has been seeking a move away from the Catalan club for some time now as the American has fallen out of favor with Barcelona’s new manager, Xavi.
I even wrote a “Sergiño Dest Bayern Munich transfer rumor” story in December. Dest appears ready to leave Barcelona, the question of where the defender could go remains in the air. One month again it seemed Bayern was the right place, now Chelsea looks likely to acquire Dest.
#Chelsea have enquired about how much Barcelona defender Sergino Dest would cost. He remains an option for the Blues.
[via @Nathan_Gissing]— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) January 6, 2022
Sergiño Dest is Tuchel's No 1 target this window, and Chelsea are willing to pay his full fee (reportedly £16.7m) this month.
{Sport via Dailymail}— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) January 6, 2022
The move makes plenty of sense. Chelsea has an opening at the wingback position after usual left wingback starter, Ben Chilwell, suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Next, the Blues’ starting right wingback, Reece James, suffered a hamstring injury on Dec. 29 and looks to be out for a considerable amount of time.
The situation for Chelsea’s wingback positions has gotten so desperate that Christian Pulisic has been filling in with mixed results.
Bryan Gil has a really bright future. pic.twitter.com/McnXbLeejA
— Hotspur Edition (@HotspurEdition) January 6, 2022
The London giants are desperately looking for a replacement this transfer window with little to show for it. The top prospect was signing Lucas Digne from Everton, however Aston Villa acquired him on Wednesday.
Lucas Digne to Aston Villa from Everton, here we go! Agreement reached for €27m fee. Permanent move. Personal terms agreed today morning. #AVFC
Digne is now traveling to Birmingham and will undergo his medical today. Another big one for Gerrard after Philippe Coutinho. pic.twitter.com/Gzm9y9tOYs— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2022
The next best option for Chelsea was to recall Emerson from loan at Lyon. According to reports, the French club has no intent of letting Emerson go. The Italian defender has started nearly every game for Lyon this season and is a vital part of the club’s defense.
Lyon make Emerson Palmieri transfer decision as Chelsea search for Ben Chilwell replacement #CFC https://t.co/5IqDimzgb2
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) January 12, 2022
Digne is now joining Aston Villa for £25m.
Chelsea never made an offer for him but have just had a £3.3m bid rejected to recall Emerson from Lyon.They need to find a way to break the loan agreement after Chilwell's serious injury.
He has always been Tuchel's first choice. https://t.co/qdi2haSAl4
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 12, 2022
The third choice for Chelsea? Sergiño Dest.
Dest is a versatile player who has done it all for Barcelona and the USMNT playing at the left back and right back positions, even up front on the wings. For the sake of Chelsea and USMNT fans, no one wants to see Pulisic forced to play in defense anymore. Dest is the solution.
• Lucas Digne
• Emerson Palmieri
• Sergiño DestChelsea’s current January wing-back shortlist, according to reports… pic.twitter.com/whGIruLkjH— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) January 7, 2022
() Sergiño Dest is among the candidates considered by Chelsea, who’re more likely to show interest in a loan deal rather than permanent. @Matt_Law_DT #Transfers
— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@ReshadRahman_) January 7, 2022
The winter transfer window closes on Monday, Jan. 31.