Although he will be out for months to come, PSV Eindhoven have signed Sergino Dest permanently from FC Barcelona. The transfer modalities will apparently be special
Sergino Dest will not be returning to FC Barcelona. Although the full-back tore his cruciate ligament in April and will be out for months to come, PSV Eindhoven have not backed down from their plan to sign him permanently from the Catalans after his one-year loan. Dest has signed a contract with the new Dutch champions until the summer of 2028.
Originally, the agreement between the clubs included a purchase option, reportedly worth eleven million euros. However, De Telegraaf, among others, is now reporting that this has become invalid due to the injury. Initially, no money is to flow to Barcelona, but Hansi Flick’s new club is to receive a share of any resale. At least Barca, who are struggling to comply with Spanish financial regulations as they do every year, will finally get Dest off the payroll thanks to the deal.
“We discussed it well internally, but Sergino impressed us so much last season that we didn’t want to miss out on the chance to take him on permanently,” explained PSV sporting director Earnest Stewart in a club statement. “He has so many qualities. The new situation doesn’t change that. “
“I’ve found the club to be incredibly warm-hearted, something I’ve never experienced anywhere else “
Until his injury, Dest was a regular and, with 37 competitive appearances (two goals, seven assists) on the left and sometimes also on the right side of defense, a decisive factor in Eindhoven’s strong season under coach Peter Bosz. “He played an important role in our 25th national title. When he joined us last year, I knew we would get a very good player. He’s proven that several times at the highest level,” says Stewart.
Dest, who will also miss the Copa America in the USA due to the cruciate ligament rupture, feels at home in Eindhoven. “PSV believes in me, I am very much appreciated here. I’ve found the club to be incredibly warm-hearted, something I’ve never experienced anywhere else,” explained the Dutchman, who moved to Barca from Ajax Amsterdam in 2020.
In May, Eindhoven had already announced the permanent signing of Malik Tillman, who was previously on loan from FC Bayern.
