BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi is Barcelona’s top choice to be their new manager.
But De Zerbi’s Seagulls release clause – said to be worth up to £10m – could prove a sticking point for the cash-strapped Catalan club.
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Reports in Spain claim De Zerbi has the support of key Barca figures to replace Xavi when the playing legend leaves the dugout at the end of this season.
President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, the former Chelsea and Barcelona star, both want the fiery Italian.
They love the Seagulls’ style of football under De Zerbi, his commitment to youth, and his personality.
De Zerbi’s agents, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Cnajr, met Deco in Barcelona last Wednesday.
Although the talks were originally scheduled in order to discuss a contract renewal for another of their clients, defender Ronald Araujo, it is believed there were discussions about De Zerbi’s availability.
When he replaced Graham Potter at the Amex in October 2022, he signed a four-year deal.
Brighton and their head coach have been in talks for a couple of months about an extension which might well include a larger release clause.
But even the current amount would be a problem for Barca as the club continues to juggle its fragile finances.
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Xavi himself spent millions buying himself out of his contract at Qatari club Al Sadd in order to take over at the Camp Nou.
De Zerbi could attempt something similar if he were desperate to force a move to Barcelona.
But if the issue cannot be resolved, former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick is the Italian’s biggest rival for the job.
Flick is now represented by super-agent Pini Zahavi, who has good connections with Barcelona and most recently managed to take Robert Lewandowski there from Bayern Munich.
