Bayern Munich still hope to bring in Roberto De Zerbi despite the manager claiming he would like to stay at Brighton, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel is set to depart the Allianz at the end of a rollercoaster campaign in which the German giants have failed to win a trophy for the first time in 12 years.
De Zerbi has continued to be linked with the job since it was announced in Ferbuary that Tuchel will be exiting in the summer.
However, the Seagulls boss came out earlier this month to say he would ‘love’ to remain at the Amex and even suggested he could do so for another 20 years.
His comments do not seem to have impacted Bayern with reporter Christian Falk revealing that sporting director Max Eberl will do whatever it takes to bring him in.
Falk said: ‘Max Eberl wants him at all costs. De Zerbi has said that he wants to stay in Brighton but it’s not that simple either.
‘He has trouble with the those above him there and I think Bayern are really drilling there again.
While not as shiny as their sixth-placed finish last year, De Zerbi has still led Brighton to a respectable season as they sit 10th in the Premier League.
They also reached the last 16 of the Europa League on their continental debut but were dumped out 4-1 on aggregate by Roma.
De Zerbi’s overachievement with the club fuelled speculation about an exit, as did his comment in February that he was ‘not close’ to signing a new deal. His current one runs until 2026.
