Brighton players fear that Roberto De Zerbi will leave for Italy

Can Roberto De Zerbi say goodbye to his Brighton players this summer? Photo: Getty Images/Marc Atkins.

Brighton players fear that Roberto De Zerbi will not stay at the club after the end of this season amid serious Italian interest in the 43-year-old.

De Zerbi has been constantly linked with Inter Milan in recent months, and Telegraph Sport understands that there is a genuine fear within the Brighton team that the manager will return to his home country at the end of this campaign.

De Zerby, who replaced Graham Potter in September, has had a huge impact on the southern coast, and he is respected by many of his players for the progressive style of football he introduced at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton are aiming to qualify for European football for the first time in their history and will face Manchester United on Thursday, knowing that a victory will lift them above sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

They may have to to face United without De Zerbi, however, on the touchline, as the Italian contracted an illness that forced him to cancel his usual pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

It is clear that De Zerbi is keen to play more active role in the club's data-driven recruitment strategy and has his own ideas about which players Brighton should sign.

Brighton are expected to sell key Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo this summer, with some of the Premier League's biggest clubs showing strong interest in midfielders. Combined, the two players are likely to earn over £100m in transfer fees.

Brighton are expected to sell some key players this summer, including Alexis Mack Allister. Photo: Getty Images/Eddie Kough

Mac Allister and Caicedo are both of interest to Liverpool and Manchester United, while Arsenal remain interested in Caicedo after failed attempts. sign it in January. Chelsea have also shown interest in both players in recent months.

In terms of earnings, Brighton have already agreed a club-record £30m deal to sign Brazilian striker Joao Pedro from Watford at end of this year. season.

De Zerby said this year that he is adapting to Brighton's data-driven approach to recruiting, but has made it clear that he also wants to have a say in these decisions.

“I'm getting used to it. it’s different to work with algorithms in the transfer market, and I’m getting used to appreciating it,” he said. “I didn't know this before. I spent a lot of time learning new players from videos, but now I understand that there is another way to find players.

“I believe in myself and I want to look at the player. I want to understand that the player has the right qualities and characteristics to play for us.”

Since De Zerby was appointed, only three teams – Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United – have scored more heads. in the Premier League than Brighton and only City have more ball possession on average in matches.

Brighton beat Wolves 6-0 last weekend with such an impressive performance that De Zerby later called her the best of his career. entire coaching career.