Roberto De Zerbi 'holds talks' with European giants after shock Brighton exit | OneFootball

Bayern Munich have held talks with Roberto De Zerbi as they continue their search for a new manager, a report has claimed.

Despite expressing a desire to remain with Brighton & Hove Albion just 24 hours earlier, it was confirmed on Saturday that De Zerbi would leave his position at the end of the season following his side's meeting with Manchester United.

The announcement appears to have come as music to the ears of Bayern as The Times state that talks have already been held with the Italian over summer switch to the Allianz Arena.

Bayern will bid farewell to Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season and have endured a torrid search for a replacement.

Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick have all publicly rejected the chance to move to Bayern, who also failed with an offer to Crystal Palace to lure Oliver Glasner back to the Bundesliga. Tuchel then held talks over remaining at the club which ultimately fell through.

According to BILD, De Zerbi is now Bayern director Max Eberl's top target and the club chief is keen to convince De Zerbi to make the move.

That being said, Eberl was later asked by ZDF whether he could deny that Bayern's next coach would be Italian, to which he responded: "Yes."

Sky Germany also state that De Zerbi will definitely not be the next Bayern manager.

Tuchel will leave this summer / Matthias Hangst/GettyImages

De Zerbi has long been linked with a number of top sides, although which positions will actually be available to him remains to be seen.

Rumours of a move to Liverpool were ended by the hiring of Arne Slot, while Mauricio Pochettino's position at Chelsea is far more secure than it was just a matter of weeks ago after an impressive end to the season.

Bayern have a confirmed vacancy, while De Zerbi continues to be linked with Manchester United, where Erik ten Hag awaits a final decision on his future from new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

A return to Italy with Juventus, who have sacked Massimiliano Allegri, could be a possibility, while De Zerbi's situation may interest Barcelona following renewed speculation about Xavi's future.