Reports from Italy indicate a growing likelihood of Roberto De Zerbi departing Brighton during the upcoming summer transfer window, as prestigious clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea express interest in securing his managerial services.
The 44-year-old Italian coach has garnered praise for his tactics at Brighton this season, captivating fans with an attacking 4-2-3-1 style of play that has yielded notable victories, such as the 4-2 triumph over Tottenham, alongside disappointing defeats like the 4-0 loss to Roma.
Despite their elimination from the Europa League, Brighton remains competitively positioned in the Premier League, actively contending for European qualification. Concurrently, De Zerbi’s name continues to be associated with elite clubs across Europe.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Zerbi appears increasingly inclined to depart Brighton at the culmination of the current campaign, expressing readiness to seek opportunities with leading European clubs. A plethora of clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring his services.
In the aftermath of Brighton’s Europa League exit at the hands of Roma, De Zerbi hinted at potential future endeavors, stating in Italian to reporters, “Let’s see if we can reach an important goal again, then next year whoever is here will think about how to improve on this season.”
Currently earning approximately €5 million net per season with Brighton, De Zerbi’s contract includes a release clause of €13 million. Out of respect and gratitude, Brighton has affirmed its intention not to obstruct De Zerbi’s departure should offers from top-tier clubs materialize.