Roberto De Zerbi was always going to garner interest from clubs both domestic and abroad. But perhaps no one had expected that big clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Liverpool would all be fighting for the Italian. After all, he has done such an amazing job with Brighton, using the limited resources he had to build a great, talented team.
However, it will not be easy for any club to get him, as he has been invaluable to his club. And the fact that so many clubs want him makes him even more expensive.
Brighton CEO reacts to increasing interest in Roberto De Zerbi
While everyone is talking about which club would be perfect for Roberto De Zerbi to join, Brighton may feel a bit annoyed. The Italian is still under contract with them, and they had already seen another sensational manager, Graham Potter, leave Chelsea two years earlier.
Having led the club to their first ever European competition in the Europa League and earning their best Premier League position in sixth, De Zerbi has shown what he can do. His clear style of playing and philosophy have made Brighton play some of the best soccer and dominate even bigger teams like Manchester City and Liverpool.
🚨🔵 Brighton CEO Paul Barber: “We don’t want to lose De Zerbi, he’s one of the best in the world”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 6, 2024
“Roberto loves Brighton and all people involved here — but at some point in the future he may choose to take that skill base that he has elsewhere”, told @TheAthleticFC. pic.twitter.com/T7PGvheH6Y
However, Brighton CEO Paul Barber has no intention to let go of the 44 year old so soon. He said that the manager is already one of the best, “We don’t want to lose De Zerbi, he is an outstanding coach, probably one of the best in the world already, and that is going to make him attractive.”
But he also acknowledged that the lure of a big club could prove to be too strong. “But that still means at some point in the future he may choose to take that skill base that he has elsewhere – we understand that.”
Roberto De Zerbi’s release fee comes to light
Roberto De Zerbi is certainly a very wanted man, and numerous big clubs want him. Bayern Munich and Liverpool want him as an alternative to their main target, Xabi Alonso. Chelsea have also identified him to potentially replace Mauricio Pochettino, and he is also one of Barcelona’s main candidates. Therefore, it will be hard for Brighton to keep such big clubs from acquiring De Zerbi.
🚨 There is a release clause for Roberto De Zerbi included in his contract with Brighton. It can be triggered only during summer periods at the end of the season. He is appreciated by #THFC.
— Spurs Connect (@Spurs_Connect) March 28, 2023
– @FabrizioRomano 🥇 pic.twitter.com/rf58eH1CYE
However, reports claim that any club wanting De Zerbi needs to pay his release clause, which is said to be around £12 million. That means unless this is paid, Brighton won’t allow him to leave any club.
It remains to be seen where Roberto De Zerbi ends up next season, but for now, his full focus will be on Brighton’s next game against Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
