Roberto de Zerbi: Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister 'deserve to play in another level'

Roberto de Zerbi believes Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister "deserve to play in another level" but hopes European football can convince the in-demand duo to stick with Brighton.

Ecuador international Caicedo and Argentina World Cup winner Mac Allister continue to be heavily linked with summer transfers, following standout seasons.

Albion potentially strengthened their hopes of retaining two of their star performers by securing continental qualification with Sunday's 3-1 Premier League win over relegated Southampton.

While De Zerbi feels that may prove persuasive, he does not wish to hamper the careers of the pair and concedes Wednesday evening’s match with Manchester City could be their final appearances in a Seagulls shirt at the Amex Stadium.

"It can be the last game but I don’t know," said the Brighton head coach.

"They can have the possibility to change (clubs) because they deserve to play in another level.

"But now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe because our level is bigger now. We can offer them one possibility more."

Asked if a European place can make the difference, De Zerbi replied: "It can be. They can have more motivation. But they are very good guys.

"When I work, I think for myself, I think for my club but I think still for the players because the players have one career, one life and we can’t decide for them.

"I don’t know what Tony (Bloom, Brighton owner) can decide but if they want to leave, for myself, it’s right they leave."

Albion will almost certainly finish sixth and be in the Europa League next term due to their goal difference being significantly better than Aston Villa’s but need one more point to banish any prospect of slipping into the Europa Conference League.

De Zerbi insists his