Sergino Dest's difficult AC Milan season takes a turn for the worse

Sergiño Dest is having a difficult season at Milan. The full-back arrived on loan this summer, but announced that his goal was to stay with the Italian side.

"I am very happy here and I will give 100% to stay. There is an option to buy in the deal between AC Milan and FC Barcelona, so I will give my best because I hope Milan will sign me," he said on his arrival. 

Milan seemed a good destination for the full-back, 22, who had lost Xavi's confidence at Barça. But his time at Milan has dimmed after a promising start. 

The latest news about the American confirms his bad form at the club: Dest has been dropped from the list for the KO rounds of the Champions League. A list that the Rossoneri club has updated with the entry of Malick Thiaw in place of the American. The numbers underline the lack of prominence of the Barça full-back during Milan's season: he has participated in 14 games and only 635 minutes.

The Italian side have an option to buy him for 20 million euros this summer, but at the moment it seems unlikely that they will exercise it. A situation that invites thoughts Barça could be faced with the problem of having to find a new team for him in June.

Dest arrived at Barça as one of the most promising full-backs in Europe after a great season at Ajax. Barça vied for his signature with Bayern, but ended up landing him, when Koeman was on the bench. Despite having opportunities at Barça, he never fully developed his potential. Dest had good moments, but little consistency.

His lack of defensive aggressiveness, and his tendency to switch off, set him back in his time at Barça. In attack, on the other hand, he showed that he is a player who can get forward well, who likes to start on the wing but plays on the inside too.

The arrival of Xavi at Barça complicated his situation: the coach preferred Sergi Roberto or even Araujo there, and Dest finally opted for a loan move to Milan.