According to the ‘Mirror and confirmed by SKB Journal Sports‘, Roberto de Zerbi is one of the favourites to succeed Xavi Hernandez at the helm of Barcelona. Liverpool, who are also looking for a manager to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, are also interested in the highly-rated Brighton manager.
Roberto de Zerbi has a contract with Brighton & Hove Albion until 2026. In any case, the Italian coach will have plenty of suitors if he wants to change his destination next summer, although that will not be easy because the Seagulls will not make it easy for him. If any club wants to take their coach, they will have to pay his clause of 15 million euros.
Barcelona is one of his most ardent suitors as they are looking for an heir to Xavi Hernandez, who has announced that he will vacate his place at the end of the season. However, the Catalan side are not considering paying that figure, according to ‘Sport’.
The same media outlet reports that De Zerbi would be open to a proposal from the Spanish side, but the board are not prepared to pay the 15 million euros that Brighton are demanding to let him leave.
And money is not the only impediment to seeing De Zerbi at the Camp Nou. According to the ‘Mirror’, Liverpool could join the race for the coach.
“I only have Brighton in my mind. I would like to finish in the best possible way, with our young players. I have a contract and I haven’t decided anything. My focus is 100 per cent on my club,” he said of his future ahead of the Fulham meeting.
De Zerbi prioritises Barca over Liverpool, but things could change if the Reds present him with a good offer. The upcoming international break could be a key moment for Barcelona to make a definitive move for the Italian manager.
Sporting director Deco’s plan is to take advantage of those days without matches to meet with his favourites for the manager’s job. Joan Laporta will be the one to decide who fills the position left by Xavi. In the meantime, the clock is ticking and De Zerbi is increasingly in demand.
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