The Italian had previously seemed resigned to losing his star men (Pictures: Getty)

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has backtracked on comments he made about in-demand duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister and says it is not a forgone conclusion that they will leave.

The high-flying Seagulls are battling to secure European qualification and picked up a superb result against Arsenal on Sunday, winning 3-0 at the Emirates to dash the Gunners? title hopes.

Caicedo and Mac Allister ? who both impressed at the World Cup ? have stood out, with the Ecuadorian linked with Arsenal and Chelsea while the Argentine is rumoured to be on Liverpool?s radar.

Speaking straight after the win over Arsenal, De Zerbi seemed to suggest he was already resigned to losing the pair, telling Sky Sports: ?For sure we will lose some players, maybe Caicedo and Mac Allister.?
But he has now clarified those comments and says it is not certain the duo will leave, though Brighton are bracing themselves for potential summer raids and have plans in place to deal with any exits.

Asked if Brighton fans should accept that they may be seeing the pair play their final games for the club, De Zerbi hit back: ?No, I didn?t say it like this!

?I said that it could be the possibility to lose some big players, like Caicedo maybe, Mac Allister, [Kaoru] Mitoma? I don?t know.

Brighton are braced for big offers for Mac Allister and Caicedo (Picture: Getty)

?But we are Brighton and I know the po...