Manchester United new owners set sights on 44-year-old Barcelona manager target

Roberto De Zerbi is one of the names on the list for Barcelona to replace Xavi Hernandez as manager at the end of the season.

In fact, reports suggest that the 44-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion boss is best placed to succeed the club legend in the Barça hotseat in the summer.

However, competition for the Italian tactician appears to be growing rapidly. Earlier today, we reported that Liverpool had taken an interest in De Zerbi as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp.

Now, another team from England is said to have set their sights on the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss.

Manchester United eyeing De Zerbi

Indeed, as per Manchester Evening News, Manchester United new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eyeing Roberto De Zerbi as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag in the summer.

The Dutch tactician has come under pressure with the Red Devils underperforming this season and there is a possibility that he might be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.

In that case, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently acquired 25% of the club’s ownership, is considering the name of De Zerbi as a possible replacement to lead the project at Old Trafford.

Man in demand. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

€15 million release clause a problem for Barcelona

While Barcelona admire De Zerbi and the way his teams play, one major hurdle for the club is the fact that his contract contains a €15 million release clause that Brighton do not wish to lower.

Barcelona, for their part, have no intentions to pay that as well, due to the club’s financial constraints.

Clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United would not have that problem, though, which could pose an issue for Barça in their pursuit of the Italian tactician.