Brighton are set to pocket £5million as Roberto De Zerbi closes in on a move to Marseille, talkSPORT understands.
The Seagulls announced last month that they and the Italian reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
De Zerbi joined in September 2022 as their replacement for Graham Potter and guided the club to a sixth-place Premier League finish.
However, their final standing in the 2023/24 campaign as 11th and he has now left, with Ligue 1 side Marseille set to be his next destination.
talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook spoke about the move on White and Jordan, explaining: “This is a developing story but I’m told that it is edging closer.
“De Zerbi, who of course left Brighton, bit of a bombshell announcement on the eve of their final game of the season at home to Manchester United, he agreed a mutual termination of his contract.
“There were suggestions that maybe he was on the list for Manchester United if they replaced Erik ten Hag, in fact talks were held between United and De Zerbi’s advisors but it didn’t go any further than that.
“Then there’s been suggestions he’d go back to Italy, I was always told that was unlikely, actually De Zerbi would like to go and manage in a different country and it could well be France, it could well be Marseille.
“When he was employed by Brighton, he had a big release clause well in excess of £10million. As part of the agreement to terminate that contract, that release clause has been reduced. I understand it’s a sliding scale, so Brighton will still get a few quid from this deal.
“But keep an eye on De Zerbi maybe pitching up in Marseille. We know all about how passionate their fans are, this is either going to be a match made in heaven or one made in hell, I would suggest.”
talkSPORT understands that Brighton will receive £5million in compensation from De Zerbi’s pending move to Marseille.
The Seagulls are edging close to an agreement with St Pauli to name Fabian Hurzeler as their next boss.
Hurzeler will become the youngest manager in Premier League history should he complete a move to the south coast.
talkSPORT understands that personal terms with the American have been agreed as they eye their next appointment ahead of the new season.
