Jurgen Klopp 'intervenes' in Man Utd transfer to deal blow to Liverpool's rival

Jurgen Klopp has inadvertently proved his allegiance to Liverpool years after leaving the Reds, with the Red Bull Group's Head of Soccer intervening in Manchester United's transfer plans

Jurgen Klopp apparently convinced Patrick Zabi to snub Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has reportedly played a key role in Manchester United's failed pursuit of Reims youngster Patrick Zabi, who is now poised to join Paris FC. The 19 year old is understood to have heeded the Red Bull head of global football's advice regarding the transfer.

He will team up with the Parisian club, who are partly owned by the energy drinks giant. French media suggested United were among several elite European clubs tracking the Stade Reims talent, but Paris FC have now wrapped up his signing in a deal worth $29.4 million, with the transfer expected to be finalised this summer. Klopp was recently linked with an unlikely return to Anfield amid growing pressure on Arne Slot. He is, however, returning to Anfield for a charity match.

But it seems that move is not going to happen, with the Reds continuing to back the under-fire head coach. Slot appeared with Richard Hughes this week for a media appearance, proving their relationship is as strong as ever.

L'Equipe reports that Paris beat Manchester United and fellow Premier League outfits Bournemouth and Newcastle United to land Zabi's signature. The promising talent also drew attention from Italian giants Fiorentina, Inter and Milan.

Whilst his destination remains unconfirmed, the report indicates it's simply a matter of timing. Journalist Sascha Tavolieri claims that Klopp's involvement convinced Zabi to agree terms with the French club, who currently sit 14th in the nation's top division.

Zabi has received considerable acclaim since making his senior bow last February. The midfielder has clocked up 24 first-team outings whilst netting twice and providing three assists, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Paris FC, located merely a stone's throw from city rivals Paris Saint-Germain, were acquired by the Arnault family in 2024, who headed the global billionaires' wealth rankings that year.

The agreement featured a minority shareholding for Red Bull, with Klopp overseeing operations.

Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp stopped Manchester United from signing a major transfer target(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

He has moved into an advisory role as their head of global football, where he provides guidance on their worldwide expansion and development, and as a result, he has reportedly been pivotal in this transfer pursuit.

Klopp is relishing his new role a year into the position.

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."