Jurgen Klopp had the last laugh over Manchester United(Image: PA)
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly intervened in Manchester United’s pursuit of Reims youngster Patrick Zabi, who is now set to join Paris FC. The 19-year-old is said to have followed the Red Bull’s head of global soccer guidance over the move.
He will link up with the Parisian outfit, who are partially owned by the energy drink company. French reports indicated United were amongst numerous top European sides monitoring the Stade Reims talent but now, Paris FC have secured his signature in a deal valued at £21.6million, with the move anticipated to be completed this summer.
L’Equipe reports that Paris triumphed over Manchester United and fellow Premier League sides Bournemouth and Newcastle United to secure his services. The exciting prospect also attracted interest from Italian powerhouses Fiorentina, Inter and Milan.
Whilst his destination remains unofficial, the report suggests it’s merely a question of when. Journalist Sascha Tavolieri claims that Klopp’s influence persuaded Zabi to accept terms with the French side, who currently occupy 14th position in the nation’s top flight.
Zabi has earned widespread praise since making his senior debut last February. The midfielder has accumulated 24 first-team appearances whilst scoring twice and registering three assists.
Paris FC, situated just a stone’s throw from city neighbours Paris Saint-Germain, were purchased by the Arnault family in 2024, who topped the global billionaires’ wealth rankings that year. The deal included a minority stake for Red Bull, with Klopp supervising matters.
He has transitioned into an advisory position as their head of global football, where he offers adviced on their worldwide expansion and growth, and consequently, he has allegedly been instrumental in this transfer chase.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page
Klopp is enjoying his new position a year into the role. He said: “I love it. I love being part of it, not in the middle of it.
“I’m in a place as a person [where I’m] completely at peace with where I am. I don’t want to be somewhere else. I learned a lot in the last year. I went to business plan meetings – so many words I’ve never heard before in my life!”
He also told The Athletic: “When I started this job, nobody really had an idea of how it would look. It was the same for me. I’m Jurgen Klopp, but I had no clue what that meant, to be honest.
“As a football coach, I knew exactly – but what did that mean for the rest of my life?”. I’m pretty sure a lot of people thought: he wants to have an easy time, not coach anymore, travel a bit – stuff like that – but I know myself well enough to understand that I would not be happy like that.”
Klopp outlined his position: “It’s an advisory role, but with power. But I’m not a person who shoots from far away.
“So that means I listen and rely a lot on the people at the clubs. I calm things down in some moments, and make decisions in others.”
