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Tom Hamilton, Senior Writer
PSV Eindhoven director of football Earnest Stewart hopes United States men’s international duo Sergiño Dest and Malik Tillman will stay at the club beyond the end of the season.
Both Tillman and Dest have played important roles in PSV’s unbeaten run in the Eredivisie this season as they close in on their 25th Dutch title. The pair arrived at the club on season-long loans with Tillman signing from Bayern Munich and Dest from Barcelona.
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The players have options built into their deals, with attacking midfielder Tillman’s asking price at €12.5 million ($13.6m) and full-back Dest’s at €10m, according to ESPN sources.
But for PSV to sign the players on permanent deals, the players themselves would also have to happy committing their future to the team.
When Stewart was asked if he wants both players to sign for the club on permanent deals, he told ESPN: “Yeah, I’d say that’s fair. That’s more than fair. Both players are players that have done fantastic for PSV Eindhoven and yeah, I can say that we hope that both players stay.”
Dest told ESPN any plans for the summer and beyond are with his agent, but Stewart has been impressed with him.
“Knock on wood, his body is built for high-performance sports and he can just do the most amazing things,” Stewart said.
“He’s an offensive full-back which helps us in the way that we want to play, getting up and down the sideline as he does.
“I think it’s important for him to be at a club for a longer period and, and then, you know, make sure he gets better and better and better. And then once he goes to those bigger clubs that he’s already been part of, he goes there as a mainstay.”
Tillman, who has six goals and nine assists for PSV, is enjoying life in Eindhoven and would be happy to stay beyond the summer.
“It’s more up to the clubs than it is to me. I would be happy if I stay, but yeah. It’s up to Bayern and it’s up to PSV,” Tillman told ESPN.
Stewart has been impressed with Tillman’s development at the club.
“He’s a special player, special in every way,” Stewart said of Tillman.
“Playing in tight spaces, being able to play one versus one. His link up play is great. Then what a lot of people don’t know is his defensive work rate and the number of balls he takes away from people in midfield. It’s uncanny. His development has been fantastic.”