Revealed: The compensation suitors Man Utd and Chelsea would have to pay to land Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi

According to The Telegraph, acquiring De Zerbi's services would require a hefty compensation package of at least £12 million. The Italian, who is contracted to Brighton until 2026, has been a pivotal figure at the club since joining 17 months ago.

Brighton previously received £21.5 million in compensation when their former manager Graham Potter moved to Chelsea last season. While the compensation fee for De Zerbi may pale in comparison to transfer fees for players, it represents a significant sum for a managerial appointment. This underscores De Zerbi's standing in the football world, having honed his coaching skills in Italian football and earning recognition for his stints at Sassuolo and Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.

Despite the speculation surrounding his future, De Zerbi revealed that he is in discussions with Brighton about a potential new contract before Christmas.

"I usually work to be happy and to enjoy, and I feel very good in Brighton," remarked the Italian manager.

After the derby defeat to Manchester City, pressure has intensified on Erik ten Hag to deliver results. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has yet to publicly endorse Ten Hag's candidature which has further fuelled speculation about his future.

Meanwhile, among De Zerbi's admirers is City manager Pep Guardiola as well, who has backed the Italian coach to take charge of a top club. He will have another opportunity to showcase his managerial acumen as Brighton prepares to face AS Roma in the Europa League, providing a platform for him to further enhance his reputation on the European stage.