Barcelona loanee rules out return to the club until Xavi is in charge: “It will be too difficult”

Since signing Sergino Dest from Ajax in 2020 in a deal worth up to €26.2 million, Barcelona have not found much luck with the American full-back.

He struggled to find consistent play time in his first two seasons at Barça and was consequently loaned out to AC Milan, where he only played fourteen games all year.

After his difficulties in Italy, he joined PSV on another season-long loan last summer, where he finally seems to be turning his situation around.

Return unlikely unless Xavi leaves

Speaking in an interview with the Dutch magazine Voetbal International (h/t Mundo Deportivo), he reflected on his time at the Dutch club and whether there was the possibility of him returning to Barcelona.

When asked about a potential return to Catalonia, Dest claimed that, as long as Xavi was at the helm, he found it difficult to represent the Blaugranes again.

“Xavi is still there. So not for the moment; it will be too difficult,” he remarked.

This season, Dest is playing for PSV as a left-back, which is the opposite wing from where he usually plays.

He has started all 12 league games and six Champions League games for the Dutch team, except the game against Arsenal. In total, the Barça loanee has amassed one goal and three assists in more than 1,600 minutes of play.

Dest has enjoyed a solid stint at PSV, with the American playing regularly and his team leading the Eredivisie. When asked about the possibility of signing for PSV permanently, Dest said:

“I think that Barcelona, ​​PSV, and I have something to say about this. It can be discussed at the end of the season. Now it is too early.”

Appearing coy about his future, he added, “Maybe I’ll stay; maybe I’ll leave. Malik (Tillman) is in a similar situation with PSV and Bayern Munich, but fortunately, we don’t have to solve it yet.”