Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a summer move for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.
The Blues are currently unable to bring in any new players due to their ownership problems, but the club are hopeful that there will be a resolution in the near future, allowing them to enter the summer transfer market.
According to Sport, Thomas Tuchel's side are interested in bringing Dest to Stamford Bridge, with Barcelona thought to be open to selling him during the summer window.
The report claims that the Catalan outfit value Dest in excess of €20m (£17.1m), but the two parties could also potentially negotiate a swap deal involving both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Chelsea will need to overhaul their defence this summer, as both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are leaving on free transfers, with the latter set to join Barcelona, while Azpilicueta and Alonso are believed to be pushing for exits ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
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Dest joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2020, and he has represented the La Liga club on 72 occasions in all competitions, contributing three goals and four assists in the process.
This season, the United States international has made 31 appearances for Xavi's side, contributing three assists, but he could miss the rest of the campaign with a muscular problem.
Dani Alves is expected to sign a new one-year deal at Camp Nou, while Sergio Roberto is also likely to extend his contract for another season, which will make it difficult for Dest to secure regular starts at right-back.
However, a recent report claimed that Xavi was keen to keep hold of the American, having been impressed with his performances in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.
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Dest has shown his versatility by operating as a left-back and right-sided attacker this season, although he has primarily been used as a right-back since Xavi's arrival as head coach.
The former Ajax youngster still has more than three years left to run on his contract at Barcelona, placing the club in a strong position to negotiate a transfer fee with potential suitors.
Dest has provided three assists in 21 La Liga appearances this season, while he also featured on nine occasions in the Europa League and Champions League.
Barcelona have already qualified for next season's Champions League, while Chelsea are in a strong position to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League table despite their recent wobble.
The Blues will face Liverpool in the FA Cup final this weekend, while Barcelona will play their penultimate La Liga match of the campaign against Getafe.
Matt Law
