Barcelona will not pay the release clause for the top managerial target but the interest is still alive

Barcelona is not flush with money at the moment, and it has a major impact on their ability to rebuild. Not only in terms of the players they can bring, but also the managers. One of the first choices to replace Xavi Hernandez this summer is Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbibut its price is a major obstacle.

While the figure was placed between 10 and 15 million euros, Sport they say that even if the Blaugrana want to sign de Zerbi, they will not fork out the €15m release clause in his contract. De Zerbi has been made aware of this, and Barcelona will demand that he try to negotiate his exit price if he wants to become the next manager at Montjuic. Likewise, the Italian coach has made it clear that he will not act until he knows for sure that he is the first choice.

Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick have been the other two managers who have been most closely linked with the Blaugrana apart from de Zerbi, but both have the advantage that they will be available at the end of the season without any attachment. However, Barcelona do not appear to have made a firm decision on the next manager at the time of writing.