Sergino Dest: I see myself staying at Barcelona

Sergiño Dest said on Friday that, after his year on loan at AC Milan, he will do everything he can to convince Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona to reserve a place for him in their squad. "Yes, I see myself staying (at Barcelona). Obviously I have to prove my worth during pre-season," the right-back told a virtual press conference about Barcelona's US tour.

"It's up to me. I feel I can prove it and I will prove it. My stance is to stay here and have a really good season with Barcelona," added the US international.

Dest, who failed to make an impression at Milan and whose continuity at Barcelona is unclear, said his performance on the US tour will be key to his future at the club.

"As the coach said, everyone starts from scratch every season. I feel that, because of what happened to me last season, I'm starting a bit behind (so) I will try to give my best version to the team and help the team to win," he explained.

"I don't want to give too much information about what I talked about with the coach, but, in short, he told me: 'OK, I'll give you the opportunity to prove your worth' (...). He also told me: 'I think you have skills but it's up to you, you have to show me'. And I agree completely. I have some skills that can be good for the team but I have to show them and be consistent," he added.