Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi is Barcelona’s ‘chosen one’ to replace Xavi, with their board in agreement that they should move for the Italian.
That’s according to AS, who say the Brighton manager has the approval of President Joan Laporta and director Deco.
De Zerbi has found himself being linked with the Barcelona job throughout this week after his agents, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Cnajr spent time at the club meeting with executives.
While that meeting was primarily to discuss a contract renewal for defender Ronald Araujo, it’s been explained that De Zerbi was also a topic of conversation, albeit on a very informal basis.
AS now say there has been a big step forward after those talks, with the Brighton boss approved by ‘all of the members’ of the club’s Sports Commission.
They say that De Zerbi has the approval of Laporta and Deco to be Xavi’s replacement next season following ‘extensive talk’ about him during the meeting with his agents this week.
At the moment the ‘main obstacle’ to a move happening is De Zerbi’s release clause, which is set at €10m in his current deal at Brighton.
That’s something Barcelona don’t want to pay; indeed, they can’t afford to pay, but the Italian’s agents have asked for patience and intend to find an agreement with the Seagulls.
Barcelona have guaranteed that to them and assured the pair that if they solve the issue with Brighton, then De Zerbi will be the one to take charge of the team from July 1st.
Negotiations are expected to be ‘arduous and complicated’ given De Zerbi has a contract until 2026 but Barcelona’s list is now him and Hansi Flick, with the Brighton boss seemingly first choice.
He certainly has the most supporters inside the club, but it will all depend on his agents finding an agreement with Brighton, and also how many sacrifices De Zerbi is willing to make to get the job.
