Porto clause and Brighton decline – why Conceicao and De Zerbi are options for Milan

FC Porto’s Sergio Conceicao and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi are still options for AC Milan to replace Stefano Pioli this summer. 

As has been reported by Calciomercato.com, the net is still being cast very wide when it comes to a replacement for Pioli and names that were previously considered out of the running are back in the frame.

Conceicao signed a new contract with Porto recently, but subsequent reports and a presidential election at the club have cast serious doubt over his future. It turns out the renewal was only going to be triggered by the existing president getting a new term, but Andre Villas-Boas has become the president instead.

As for De Zerbi, there is a €15m release clause which makes him a very expensive coach, but Milan and the coach himself could work on trying to reduce that.

The primary bargaining chip in that regard is Brighton’s rapid decline in form as the season has progressed, with the Seagulls now sitting 12th, scoring just one goal in April.

De Zerbi has always been clear that he would like to return to Milan where he was once a player, but it will take some negotiation with the Premier League club.