Roberto De Zerbi says he will not sign a new contract at Brighton & Hove Albion as things stand with
Manchester United considering an approach for the Italian. The 44-year-old is on Sir Jim Ratcliffe ’s list of potential successors for Erik ten Hag, should INEOS decide to show the Dutchman the door this summer. The Manchester Evening News understands Ratcliffe is not totally sold on Ten Hag, having refrained from publicly assessing his tenure when asked. De Zerbi is also being linked with
Liverpool , Bayern Munich and
Barcelona with all three clubs set to lose their current managers at the end of the season. Napoli have also been mentioned. The manager is currently in discussions with Brighton over a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2026. READ MORE: Ten Hag reveals what he told Mainoo after League Cup win READ MORE: United players to return from injury vs Brentford However, his latest comments have opened the door for United with the Seagulls struggling to agree terms with their coach. Asked whether he would sign a new contract, De Zerbi replied: "At the moment, no. We didn't find the agreement. The contract is a part of the future. It's important for me, it's important for everyone but it's a small part, the big part is the plan. We have to speak with the club." De Zerbi could not reassure Brighton fans that he would be at the club beyond the summer but insists he has not yet decided that he will leave. "I have a different way to decide my future,” he said. "I want to speak with my club, I have a contract but the problem is not the contract - the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future. "For me, I have not decided yet what is my future, because I have the contract, but anyway I want to speak with Tony (Bloom), my club, to understand their plan, to understand his plan, the Tony plan. Then we take the decision together, without problems.” He added: "The future I want to keep my ambition, my motivation, I live for
Football 24 hours a day. I want to know what is the plan, what is the project, what is the future because if I don't feel comfortable, I don't feel the right motivation, I can't stay any longer." Brighton would command a compensation fee, which United would need to consider. Such expenditure counts towards Financial Fair Play remits with Ratcliffe still to barter down the £20m asking price from Newcastle for sporting director Dan Ashworth. Anything spent on such fees would likely impact the summer transfer budget while Ten Hag would be due sacking compensation - also contributing to FFP - if he was axed.
Chelsea paid Brighton more than £20m to prise away Graham Potter mid-season in 2022, a figure Untied would be reluctant to pay out for De Zerbi amid their FFP concerns. Try MUFC Pro NOW for free Subscribe to our brilliant app for the best way to enjoy the M.E.N's unrivalled Manchester United coverage. No adverts, pop-ups or distractions - just our brilliant content presented in the best way possible. Comprehensive, round-the-clock coverage of the Reds, with agenda-setting
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