Brighton face battle to keep De Zerbi in summer with Premier League rivals and host of top European sides interested
BRIGHTON face a battle to keep a hold of manager Roberto De Zerbi, according to reports.
The Brighton boss was appointed after ex-boss Graham Potter was poached by Chelsea in September.
GettyRoberto De Zerbi could leave Brighton less than one year after his appointment[/caption]
De Zerbi has consolidated the building blocks Potter put in place at Brighton.
The Seagulls are currently competing for a spot in Europe, sitting in seventh in the league and level on points with Liverpool.
The Telegraph have reported a number of top teams in Italy are interested in signing De Zerbi as they contemplate their own managerial changes.
Roma, Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan are the teams said to be interested in bringing De Zerbi back to Italy, with the 43-year-old previously impressing in Serie A with Sassuolo and Benevento.
Furthermore, the uncertain future of Antonio Conte could see Tottenham make a swoop for him.
Reports in Italy suggest De Zerbi has an £11.5million buyout clause in his deal at the Amex Stadium.
The reports also claim he was left unhappy at being able to sign any new players in January in order to boost Brighton’s European hopes.
Instead, the window was spent trying to retain some big talents.
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Brighton repeatedly rejected Arsenal approaches for Moises Caicedo, while World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister also courted interest from some big hitters, including Tottenham and Chelsea.
De Zerbi is desperate to give Brighton a first-ever taste of European football.
As those hopes took a dent following a 1-0 defeat against Fulham last weekend, De Zerbi lost his temper and was sent off in the tunnel following the game.
