Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is hoping that Sergiño Dest will opt for an international future with Netherlands over the USA.

The 18-year-old has developed into a key player for Ajax this season and made his debut for the U.S national team last week in a friendly match.

Dest was born in the Netherlands but qualifies for the U.S because of his father. As of yet, Dest has never featured for a Netherlands side at youth level but the KNVB are planning talks with the right-back soon.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag revealed that he tipped Dest to Oranje boss Ronald Koeman.

He said, “I told them to watch him. Now it’s up to the KNVB.

“Of course you do exchange ideas with him (Dest), but he has to make his own choice. As a Dutch trainer I want the best for Dutch football and of course I hope that he chooses Oranje, but I would certainly respect a choice for America. “

Ten Hag didn’t want to speculate on why the KNVB have never called Dest before, “I don’t know how they rated him, that is up to the KNVB. Sergiño is going through a very good development and that development does not surprise me. I have seen him doing well at Jong Ajax and with us in preparation. This is good for our internal competition and it is certainly a good option for the starting line-up.”

Ajax rewarded Dest with a new contract on Friday which keeps him tied to the club until 2022 with the option to extend to 2023.




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