Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Ajax’s Sergino Dest put on hold for now

Bayern Munich looked as if they were going to be the front-runner in the race to sign right back Sergino Dest from Ajax, but a new report from Dutch outlet Voetbal International suggests that Bayern’s pursuit is going to be put on hold for now.
Earlier this month, it was understood that the 19-year old American international would be available for a fee of around 20-million Euros and Bayern would be in the market for a right back, assuming they send Alvaro Odriozola back to Real Madrid. Now, though, the coronavirus pandemic severely complicates what the landscape of the next transfer window will look like and Dest likely won’t be a realistic option for Bayern with all of the other bigger targets they’re focused on.

Voetbal International journalist Marco Timmer revealed that talks had progressed between Bayern and Ajax before the pandemic broke out and suspended European leagues indefinitely. He said that Ajax’s director of football, Marc Overmars, said that a deal was close and just needed a little more time to materialize:

At the time, I already had contact with Marc Overmars (director of football affairs, ed.) about a possible transfer. He said, “I expect it will be okay, it will just take a little longer.” But that was before the corona virus.

There was a vision that Dest could eventually become a Philipp Lahm type player for Bayern in the right back position with what he offers on both sides of the ball; defensive discipline while also being strong going forward on the attack:

He had to become the new Philipp Lahm there. A kind of steamy, technically skilled power train that goes back and forth continuously along the side and gives the midfielders and attackers of Bayern Munich options.

Timmer also said that it was Bayern who decided to put the potential move on hold for now and that it’s increasingly likely that Dest will remain at Ajax for at least another season:

I understand it was put on hold by Bayern. I also had some contact with his management. No, it will not go on for a while, as I was told. That means that he can probably be seen in Amsterdam for another year.