Brighton & Hove Albion are growing 'increasingly concerned' they will lose manager Roberto De Zerbi this summer, a new report has alleged.
De Zerbi has been heavily tied to top sides since he joined Brighton in September, 2022 as this could see a huge number of managerial changes.
Barcelona, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all interested in the Italian Coach as they expect to lose their present managers at end of this campaign, whereas De Zerbi has also been tied to join Chelsea or Manchester United as they also speculate to part ways with their stressed bosses before the 2024/25 campaign.
With all the speculation swirling on, The Times state Brighton fear De Zerbi has been cutting a frustrated figure in recent weeks and may be tempted to explore a move to one of his many suitors.
De Zerbi has publicly challenged Brighton owner Tony Bloom over his lack of investment in the squad during the January transfer window. 19-year-old Valentin Barco arrived from Boca Juniors but De Zerbi wanted more senior reinforcements and made his feelings clear after his side's 4-0 defeat to Roma.
"There is a lesson to learn from this game for [Bloom], because in the future maybe we will be able to improve the team," De Zerbi said.
"For myself because I could handle the period between January and March much better and also for the players because they will walk away with many regrets. And with those regrets next time you know what to expect and you can improve."
De Zerbi also claimed he was "working in difficulties" ahead of Thursday's return leg against Roma, before quickly insisting he remains "on good terms" with everyone at the club.
Brighton have no pressing need over De Zerbi's future as the Italian's contract is to expire in two years time(2026) as earns around £4.3m per year, His contract is understood to include a release clause worth around £11m which any interested side will have to trigger to get a deal done.
Besides that, Brighton are to host Roma in the UEFA Europa League at their home American Express Stadium in England today night though they already lost 4-0 in the first league at Stadio Olimpico in Italy last week on Thursday.
Roma and coach Daniele De Rossi might have to do without both Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Brighton on Thursday evening.
Roma may feel already qualified for the quarter-finals due to last week's victory over Roberto De Zerbi's side at Stadio Olimpico but they still have to play another ninety minutes at American Express Stadium in England.
Roma will be without Chris Smalling, Rasmus Kristensen, Renato Sanches and Tammy Abraham through injuries of varying severity.
Lukaku trained separately from the rest of the team in the build-up to Thursday’s game against Brighton and therefore is not expected to start.
Dybala was forced off early during Roma's 2-2 draw with Florentina in Serie A on Sunday and so he is also a doubt heading into the Brighton game.
There could instead be opportunities for Tommaso Baldanzi to start in attack and Sardar Azmoun in the centre-forward role. Nicola Zalewski could also start on the wing in order to give a rest to Stephan El Shaarawy.
De Zerbi also has injury concerns to deal with as first-choice wingers Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma remain out. There could be a place in the defensive line for former Fiorentina defender Igor, who has started in all three of Brighton’s most recent Europa League matches.
