Brighton assistant reveals club Roberto De Zerbi would struggle to reject

Brighton & Hove Albion assistant manager Andrea Maldera has admitted Roberto De Zerbi would struggle to turn down the chance to join Napoli if the opportunity arose.

De Zerbi has been linked with a number of Europe's biggest clubs ahead of a summer which could see significant movement among managers.

Liverpool and Barcelona have both been named as suitors for the Italian as they prepare for definite changes in the dugout, while the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with De Zerbi should they choose to move in a different direction this summer.

Speaking to Kiss Kiss Napoli, however, Maldera suggested a return to Serie A may be the move De Zerbi would prefer.

"He is in love with Italy," Maldera said. "It is his country, and Napoli is among his favourite teams.

"We're fine at Brighton. We have another two years on our contract, then if a proposal came from Italy, and also from Naples, Roberto would take it into consideration. Why say no to a place like Naples?"

De Zerbi has dismissed suggestions he is growing frustrated with a lack of investment from Brighton owner Tony Bloom, but CEO Paul Barber recently accepted the Italian likely has the desire to take on a bigger challenge.

"We don't want to lose him, he is an outstanding coach, probably one of the best in the world already, and that is going to make him attractive," Barber told The Athletic. "But I think Roberto loves Brighton, he loves the club, the people, the infrastructure that we have.

"And there is this sense that the work he is doing is good for him as well as for us. But that still means at some point in the future he may choose to take that skill base that he has elsewhere – we understand that."

De Zerbi has plenty of experience in Italian football, having taken charge of the likes of Palermo, Benevento and Sassuolo in the past.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS & GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD