According to Sport, Barcelona’s idea to replace the departing Xavi Hernandez with Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has hit complications, with the Premier League side unwilling to discuss releasing the Italian tactician for anything less than the buy-out clause in his contract, apparently set at €15 million.
If so, the Catalan club are showing a severe lack of seriousness in the matter of finding a long-term solution for their head coach post, though their stance is explained through their belief that paying such an amount would create added pressure on De Zerbi to produce immediate results. They also consider it inadvisable due to their ongoing financial problems.
On the other hand, it will obviously come as a bit of good news for Liverpool. The Premier League leaders are said to have named Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso as their primary target, but if their former midfielder refuses to leave the BayArena or chooses Bayern Munich as his destination, De Zerbi is the first alternative in their plan to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
