All the latest transfer news and gossip for Brighton and Hove Albion and across the Premier League
Roberto De Zerbi’s future seems less secure the more questions he answers.
The Brighton manager is still being connected to a number of positions this summer; Serie A teams, Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all apparently keeping an eye on him.
Although De Zerbi’s contract with Brighton expires in June 2026, his responses regarding the upcoming season are frequently ambiguous. His most recent remarks regarding the mistakes the owners have made this season have also fueled rumors.
He stated last week that “everyone needs to think about themselves.” “The club needs to think about themselves, and I need to think about myself. I should reflect on my past errors and learn from them.
Nevertheless, since taking over for Graham Potter at Brighton in September 2022 after the latter moved for Chelsea, the 44-year-old Italian has made a significant impression.
For the first time in Brighton’s history, De Zerbi led the team to sixth place in the Premier League and helped them qualify for the Europa League. Brighton finished first in their Europa League group, which also included Ajax, Marseille, and AEK Athens, and are once again contending for a top six berth in the Premier League, despite suffering multiple injuries and losing key players Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.
The Seagulls suffered a heartbreaking 4-0 loss to Roma in the Europa League round of 16, but they bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and a 1-0 victory over Roma in the return leg at the Amex, ultimately losing 4-1 on aggregate.
The elite clubs are unlikely to be deterred by the outcome in Roma given De Zerbi’s sustained impressive play. His play style at Brighton is fantastic to witness; he is a cunning motivator of players, and his genuine demeanor towards the media and his passion on the touchline have made him a fan favorite.
Xabi Alonso also remains a target for Liverpool but with Bayern Munich also in the mix for the former midfielder, the Reds are keeping their options open and the De Zerbi link remains strong. Their new sporting director Richard Hughes is also said to be a fan of De Zerbi and even tried to bring the Italian to his former club Bournemouth, before Brighton nipped in.
“Another name I would include in potential list [for Liverpool] is Roberto De Zerbi,” transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on JD Football YouTube channel. “De Zerbi is doing very well at Brighton. Many clubs are keeping a close eye on his situation. From what I am hearing, there is a release clause also in this case. It is something around £13m. Let’s see if Liverpool will decide to go for him or not.
“At the moment there is not something concrete. I still believe they will try for Xabi Alonso until the end.”
Speaking last week, former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness said: “It’s the style of football that makes him attractive and I enjoy watching them [Brighton]. You look at Liverpool at the end of the season and you get that job, what a dream job. Will he [De Zerbi] be in the frame? Yeah.”
