"Would be a big, big coup" - Journalist drops exciting Leeds transfer claim on £75m-rated star

Leeds United would pull off a ‘big, big coup’ if they managed to welcome Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest to Elland Road in the summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Whites appointed Jesse Marsch as their head coach in February and he will be given the opportunity to splash the cash for the first time at the end of the season.

According to TEAMtalk, Marsch is set to be backed with a healthy transfer kitty in the summer and the American has made Dest one of his top targets.

The report suggests the 21-year-old could be allowed to leave the Nou Camp after falling down the pecking order under head coach Xavi and would be seen as an ‘excellent addition’ to Leeds’ squad.

Although Dest is valued at £75million by the CIES Football Observatory, it is unlikely that Barcelona will be holding out for that figure when the transfer window reopens.

He could even head to Yorkshire in a high-profile swap deal as Spanish sources have claimed Barcelona have considered offering Dest in exchange for Leeds winger Raphinha.

A switch to the Bundesliga could otherwise be on the cards for the 17-cap United States international.

That is because it is understood that Barcelona are willing to sanction his departure to Bayern Munich if Robert Lewandowski joins the Catalan giants.

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O’Rourke believes Leeds would make a statement of intent if they succeed in luring Dest to Elland Road.

However, the journalist warns it will not be easy for Marsch to seal the deal as other big-name clubs will be keen to secure the American’s services.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I can see Leeds monitoring his situation. It would be a big, big coup if they were able to bring him to Elland