The chatter around Barcelona’s potential next manager has gone quiet in recent days, following the team’s impressive run of form prior to the international break.
Now, the Catalans are seemingly leaning towards Xavi Hernandez staying on, with club president Joan Laporta hopeful of convincing him to continue.
But it is far from certain that Xavi will change his mind and stay on, having been insistent that he has made his decision and will not dither.
In that scenario, Barcelona will need to have a replacement ready to take over and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi remains a target.
Bayern Munich also eyeing De Zerbi
Apart from Barcelona, De Zerbi is also on the radars of Bayern Munich, who will be moving on from Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season, reports Florian Plettenberg.
The 44-year-old Italian is seen as a Plan B by the Bavarians, in case their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso does not yield the desired result.
It does not come as a surprise to see clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich go after De Zerbi after the work he has done at Brighton over the past couple of seasons.
De Zerbi not in talks
The report from Plettenberg states that De Zerbi is aware of the interest that he is generating ahead of the summer.
However, at this point, the 44-year-old Italian tactician is not in talks with either Barcelona or Bayern Munich or any other club.
For now, the ex-Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss is focused on seeing the rest of the season through at Brighton and is not thinking about his next move.
As such, De Zerbi has not entered into negotiations with any club at this point.
With Barcelona seemingly leaning towards convincing Xavi after recent wins over Napoli and Atletico Madrid, their pursuit of De Zerbi will hinge on whether their current manager changes his mind or not.
