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PSV Eindhoven right back Sergiño Dest has reportedly caught the attention of Bayern Munich ahead of the summer transfer window, though a deal would likely require a fee that surpasses his own transfer record.
Dest etched his name in history as the priciest American defender ever sold when he departed Ajax for Barcelona in a headline-grabbing €21 million ($24.5 million at current exchange rates) transfer in 2020. Personally selected by then-coach Ronald Koeman, his time in Catalonia was hampered by persistent injuries and never truly took off.
Come the summer of 2024, Barcelona were eager enough to offload Dest's salary that they allowed him to join PSV on a free transfer a full year before his deal ran out—with the sole condition being a sell-on clause. That clause could now prove lucrative for the Spanish club this summer.
Bayern have added Dest to their transfer shortlist, according to Dutch outlet ED. Should the Bundesliga giants persuade PSV to sell one of their key players, the move is expected to cost them up to $29 million. At that price, Dest would rank as the sixth-most expensive American transfer ever, surpassing his own record as the costliest U.S. defender.
Most Expensive U.S. Transfers in Soccer History
Rank / Player | Year | Clubs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Christian Pulisic | 2018 | Dortmund to Chelsea | $74.5 million |
2. Malik Tillman | 2025 | PSV to Leverkusen | $40.7 million |
3. Brenden Aaronson | 2022 | Salzburg to Leeds | $38.2 million |
4. Folarin Balogun | 2023 | Arsenal to Monaco | $34.9 million |
5. Tyler Adams | 2023 | Leeds to Bournemouth | $31.3 million |
6. Sergiño Dest* | 2026 | PSV to Bayern | $29.1 million |
* Proposed move.
Dest Given Perfect Platform to Shine by Pochettino
Injury setbacks meant Dest had to wait until last September to earn his first cap under Mauricio Pochettino. It was a difficult debut for the fullback, who could do nothing as South Korea netted twice without reply in New Jersey. Three days on, Pochettino introduced a new back-three setup that powered the side to a dominant 2–0 win over Japan.
Despite the scrutiny Pochettino has faced regarding his tactical choices in recent months—the Argentine has become noticeably irritable when pressed by journalists on the subject—the USMNT seems to have found a system that brings out the best in many of its players, Dest very much among them.
The U.S. has traditionally operated with a back four, but now has the freedom to push forward by keeping just three center backs at the back. This grants the fullbacks considerably more license to attack and allows Dest to showcase his strongest qualities.
Without this tactical shift, it is hard to imagine the speedy wide player finding himself unmarked at the near post, just six yards out, six minutes into last weekend's friendly against Senegal.
Pochettino was delighted with his side's performance in a 3–2 victory sparked by Dest's opener. "It was the right attitude, the right commitment from everyone. That is the attitude we are trying to find," he said with a smile. "It is important to start this week with good feelings."
Dest could generate plenty more positive momentum with a strong showing over the coming weeks this summer, potentially earning himself a second move to one of Europe's top clubs.