Roberto De Zerbi's impressive tenure at Brighton has caught the attention of Barcelona, who sees the Italian manager as the ideal candidate to succeed Xavi at the helm. Since taking over the reins at Brighton in September 2022, De Zerbi has propelled the Seagulls to new heights, guiding them to a commendable sixth-place finish last season.

With reports of Barcelona viewing De Zerbi as their “chosen one,” negotiations are reportedly underway between the Italian's representatives and the Catalan club's sporting director. However, Brighton remains steadfast in its stance, demanding that De Zerbi's £12.8 million release clause be fully met, presenting a potential stumbling block for Barcelona's pursuit.

Despite the allure of managing a prestigious club like Barcelona, De Zerbi has expressed his dedication to Brighton, emphasizing his commitment to the ongoing project on the South Coast. In a recent interview, he spoke of his desire to continue making history with the Seagulls and build upon the progress achieved thus far.

As Barcelona vies for De Zerbi's signature, they face stiff competition from other European giants, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool, who are also rumored to be interested in the Italian manager. However, De Zerbi's immediate focus remains on Brighton's upcoming fixtures, including an FA Cup showdown against Wolves and a crucial Premier League clash with Fulham.

Amidst the speculation surrounding De Zerbi's future, Brighton continues to push forward with its ambitions, both domestically and in European competition. With the club sitting seventh in the Premier League and set to face Roma in the Europa League round of 16, De Zerbi's leadership and tactical acumen will be pivotal in navigating through these challenges and achieving further success on the pitch.