“This is a concern" - Pundit makes Russell Martin claim as Brighton eye Southampton boss | OneFootball

Brighton are considering a move for Southampton manager Russell Martin this summer.

According to Football Transfers, the Seagulls have set their sights on the 38-year-old as a potential replacement for Roberto de Zerbi.

It is expected that de Zerbi will attract interest from a number of high profile clubs at the end of the campaign, with Brighton already planning for life without the Italian.

If the 44-year-old does depart the Premier League side, then it is understood they will target Martin as their priority appointment.

could be potential pathways for de Zerbi.

Carlton Palmer believes Southampton should be quite concerned with this development.

While he expects the Saints to miss out on promotion this year, he has claimed they will be favourites for it next year should Martin stay on as manager.

“It is reported that Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi [could] leave the club in the summer, with a lot of interested parties,” Palmer exclusively told Football League World.

“The one he’s been linked with a lot is Liverpool.

“He’s done a fantastic job at Brighton, that’s undeniable, and he’s destined for pastures new and for a higher club than Brighton, no disrespect.

“I think he’s going to get a top, top job.

“So, as his replacement, Brighton are looking at Russell Martin, the Southampton manager.

“This is a concern for Southampton.

“Russell went in there, didn’t have the best of starts but then got Southampton on an unbelievable run that you thought would take them into the automatic promotion places.

“But they’re struggling just short of the automatic spots, they will be in the play-offs and they will be disappointed because they’ll have a great chance of going up through the play-offs, but I fancy whoever misses out on automatic will be the third team to go up.

“Certainly Southampton would be considered favourites to go up next season, so this is a really big problem for Southampton should Brighton’s manager go.”

Martin was brought into St. Mary’s last summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

He made the switch from Swansea City, having guided the team to a 10th place finish in his second year at the Welsh outfit.

Martin has overseen 25 wins from his first 45 games in charge of the south coast club, with the team still chasing a top two finish.

Next up for Southampton is a home game against 14th place Watford on Saturday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off.

Concerning development for Southampton

Martin has done a good job with the team this year, introducing an attractive, attacking style of play that supporters have appreciated.

This has gotten them some very strong results, including an impressive 25-game unbeaten run that propelled them into promotion contention.

However, defeats in recent weeks have set back their hopes of a top two finish, but it still comes as no surprise that Martin is attracting top flight interest.

It’s looking increasingly likely de Zerbi will depart the Amex this summer, so it would be a big disappointment for the Saints if it meant that led to Martin’s departure.