Roberto De Zerbi release clause refused as Brighton boss eyed for summer switch

27 February 2024 , 14:42

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Roberto De Zerbi release clause refused as Brighton boss eyed for summer switch

Barcelona will only appoint Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager if they can somehow avoid paying his €15million (£12.8m) release clause.

De Zerbi has emerged as Barca's No.1 target in their search to find a successor to current boss Xavi, who'll wave goodbye at the end of this season. But Brighton are desperate to keep the Italian and would be owed a sizeable sum should he depart.

Described as 'the chosen one' in Spain, De Zerbi' agents - Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Cnajr, who also represent Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo - are claimed to have already met sporting director Deco. But there's one major stumbling block, as Catalan newspaper Sport report that any club wanting to prise the 44-year-old away from Brighton would have to cough up €15m.

Barca don't want to pay a penny, as it'd only worsen financial predicament ahead of a summer which could see the La Liga giants forced into more big-money sales. Barcelona's board admire the Italian and could see him on the touchline next season, both at the Montjuic and soon-to-be newly-renovated Camp Nou.

There could well be competition for De Zerbi's signature, however, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich also looking for their next manager. The former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss recently outlined his lofty ambitions in football, but he's fully committed to Brighton as things stand.

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"We feel we can write another part of Brighton's history," De Zerbi told Sky Sports. "When I hear that big teams are interested in me it is an honour. I am proud, but my focus is on my work day-by-day. I would like in my career to compete to win the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Champions League but there isn't a time when you have to go and compete, or to wait some more time."

Your turn! Would Roberto De Zerbi be the right fit for Barcelona? Give us your verdict in the comments section.

Deco has reportedly met with Roberto De Zerbi's agents (Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

The highly-rated coach then went on to confess his love to AC Milan, saying: "Milan for me is not a normal club because as a player I was born in AC Milan. For my life I will always be grateful for Milan. I love my country, I love Italy, I love Italian football. For sure one of my targets is to go back and work in my country, but I don't know when is the time."

For now, his focus is on the FA Cup, as Brighton travel to Wolves on Wednesday before a trip to Fulham in the Premier League this Saturday. Then De Zerbi will prepare for somewhat of a homecoming, as the Seagulls are due to face Roma away from home in their Europa League last-16 first leg next Thursday.

Nathan Ridley