Brighton preparing for Roberto De Zerbi exit amid Liverpool interest
Interest from Liverpool has Brighton preparing for the exit of their manager, Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian certainly has admirers.
The Daily Mail reports that Brighton are now making contingency plans in case Roberto De Zerbi leaves at the end of the season. They're doing this because they understand that their manager is high on the list of targets at Liverpool.
The Reds will hire a new manager ahead of next season. Jurgen Klopp is stepping down, opening the door for a manager to take over at one of the biggest clubs on the planet.
It's something that will appeal to De Zerbi, of course, and if Liverpool do come calling, Brighton know they'll likely lose their manager. Especially as the report claims Manchester United also hold an interest in the Italian.
Erik Ten Hag is still firmly installed as manager there but new owners, INEOS, admire De Zerbi. It's very possible that they want their own hire in charge at Old Trafford.
Brighton, then, are building a plan just in case one of the English game's biggest clubs come knocking this summer. Liverpool may well feel he's their man.
Of course, Xabi Alonso is almost certainly the no.1 priority at Anfield. The problem there is that Bayern Munich are reportedly set to get involved in the race and may have what it takes to turn his head.
If that were to happen, De Zerbi might be the best candidate. There's a debate there, certainly - Ruben Amorim is another great shout - but the work he's done in the Premier League has been brilliant.
Brighton are a club with similar stability to Liverpool and the feeling will be that De Zerbi could transfer easily. Certainly, there wouldn't be the same worries Graham Potter had when moving to Chelsea.
But it's important to note that Brighton are simply being smart with their contingency plan. There's no suggestion that an offer is imminent, nor that De Zerbi suddenly tops Liverpool's list.
He could do, though, and that's enough to spark the Seagulls into action.