The winter transfer window is set to open at the end of next week. Bayern Munich generally doesn’t complete big deals during January, but this year could be slightly different. The Bavarian club has been heavily linked with few players in the past few weeks.
Sergino Dest has been the most linked player with Die Roten over the past fortnight. As per Catalan journalist Gerard Romero, Dest is getting closer to Bavaria. However, the German media has consistently insisted that the transfer is far from being a reality for Rekordmeister.
Dest has been on the radar for the Bavarian club since 2020. The German club tried to sign him under Hansi Flick after the treble-winning campaign. Dest was also spotted at Allianz Arena during one of the competitive games during the 2019/20 season. The young full-back also confirmed interest from Rekordmeister.
It did look a matter of time for Dest to complete a move to Bayern, but Barcelona moved more decisively and clinched the deal. The US international also decided to seal a move to Camp Nou instead of waiting for Die Roten. The Bavarian club eventually addressed the right-back position by signing Bouna Sarr from Marseille. Sarr has struggled at Die Roten, so the club is back in for Dest.
Update on Sergiño Dest: Bayern had contact with Barça about 6 weeks ago. Basically Dest fits the profile. There was / is currently no request, no offer. At that time it was about a loan or general conditions for a transfer in the summer.
— Tobi Altschäffl (@altobelli13) December 23, 2021
Will Dest finally move to Allianz Arena?
It is not a big secret that Rekordmeister remains interested in Dest. The German club tried to sign him last summer too. They failed to get the deal over the line twice, but in the third instance, the situation does seem to favour them more. Dest reportedly wanted to keep playing for Barcelona last summer, but the situation is slightly different this winter.
Ronald Koeman has already left Barcelona. Dest was signed under his tenure, and he heavily featured in the starting XI under Koeman. The Catalan club has appointed club legend Xavi as the new head coach. Dest has been playing consistently for Barcelona in the past few weeks, but the Spanish media has hinted that he may not have a future at the Catalan club under Xavi.
Moreover, Barcelona will have to offload players in the winter transfer window to back Xavi in the market. The Spanish club is close to clinching the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City for €50 million. Since Barcelona has struggled financially in the past couple of years, they will have to raise funds by selling players to offset the arrival of Torres.
The above factors do suggest that Die Roten can finally get their man. The Bavarian club has publicly insisted that there are unlikely to be any arrivals in January. However, things could surely change if Barcelona is ready to negotiate a deal that can favour all parties.