Manchester United have been beaten to the punch for teenage sensation Patrick Zabi. The 19-year-old midfielder is set to join Paris FC in a deal worth £21.6 million, and it looks like Jurgen Klopp had a say in where he ended up.
Zabi currently plays for Stade Reims but won't be heading to Old Trafford this summer. Instead, he's chosen Paris FC, a club partly owned by Red Bull. And that's where Klopp comes in.
The former Liverpool boss now works as Red Bull's head of global soccer. According to French media, his involvement was crucial in convincing Zabi to pick Paris FC over some pretty big names. United weren't the only ones left disappointed either.
Who Else Wanted Zabi?
The race for Zabi's signature was fierce. Premier League clubs Bournemouth and Newcastle United were both tracking him closely. Italian giants Fiorentina, Inter Milan, and AC Milan also showed serious interest.
But Paris FC won the battle, thanks in large part to Klopp's persuasion. The young midfielder has impressed since making his senior debut last February. He's made 24 first-team appearances, scoring twice and adding three assists.
For United fans, this is another case of missing out on a promising talent. The Red Devils have been rebuilding their squad, and Zabi could have added some youthful energy to their midfield. Those backing United to challenge for top-four positions will be watching closely to see how they address their squad depth instead.
Klopp Loving Life After Liverpool
Klopp is clearly enjoying his new role at Red Bull. He's been in the job for about a year now and says he's "completely at peace" with where he is. It's quite a change from the pressure-cooker environment of managing Liverpool.
"I love it. I love being part of it, not in the middle of it," Klopp explained. He's been learning the business side of football, attending planning meetings and hearing terms he'd never encountered as a manager.
His role isn't just advisory either. Klopp has real power in decision-making for Red Bull's football clubs worldwide. He listens to people at the clubs, calms situations when needed, and makes key decisions when required.
Paris FC themselves are an interesting project. They were bought by the Arnault family in 2024, one of the world's wealthiest families. Red Bull took a minority stake, with Klopp overseeing their football strategy. Currently sitting 14th in Ligue 1, they're building something ambitious just across Paris from PSG.
For Zabi, joining a club with that kind of backing and Klopp's guidance could be the perfect career move. For Manchester United, it's another reminder that their rebuild still has work to do.
