Barcelona failed to convince Lionel Messi to return, but they cannot allow to waste time. Next season, they must do better in the UEFA Champions League and try to retain La Liga title.Although right-back isn’t a burning issue for coach Xavi Hernandez, it’s one of those where the club would act should conditions allow it. For once, they should try and sell Sergino Dest, the American international who spent the last season out on an anonymous loan with AC Milan. And the man to come in his place is Real Valladolid’s 18-year-old talent Ivan Fresneda, who’s been on the radar of many European clubs for some time. Since Valladolid have suffered relegation to the second tier, the talented defender is almost sure to leave Estadio Jose Zorrilla in the coming months.🚨 Deco and Barça’s sporting area like Iván Fresneda for the right-back spot. Several European clubs are interested in him and with Real Valladolid being relegated, his release clause is now €20M. @sport pic.twitter.com/ElrwARTnus— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 12, 2023 Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde can both cover the RB slot, but if a chance presents itself to recruit Fresneda, Barca’s sporting director Deco won’t miss it. The promising defender had options to leave Valladolid in January, but he opted to help his boyhood club in the relegation battle. The interest of Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Juventus, Newcastle United and probably a few more teams raised the hype surrounding the youngster, but his performances were solid. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7311901##Valladolid cannot bargain too much, given that Fresneda has a $21.5 million release clause in his contract. 🚨🚨| Xavi doesn’t count on Sergiño Dest. Union Berlin are interested in him.@ferrancorreas [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/Xm5bnjWQvy— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) June 5, 2023 In the meantime, Dest is heading back to Barcelona, knowing he has three more years on his contract. His poor season means there aren’t many suitors lining up for him, making Barcelona’s potential move for the young Spaniard far-fetched. The transfer window isn’t open yet, but the movements have started.
