Klopp's Red Bull Connection Steers Zabi Away from Newcastle and United

It's the one that got away for both Newcastle and Manchester United. Patrick Zabi, the Stade Reims prospect earmarked by the Red Devils as their answer to the "next Pogba" question, has opted for Ligue 1 outfit Paris FC instead—and there's a familiar name behind the scenes pulling strings.

The 19-year-old Ivorian midfielder has agreed a €25m (£21.5m) deal with the French capital club, according to Belgian transfer guru Sacha Tavolieri. He'll see out the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign at Reims before making the move permanent.

Klopp's Influence Proves Decisive

Here's where it gets interesting. Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool boss now involved in Paris FC's operations through Red Bull's ownership stake, had a heart-to-heart with the teenager that ultimately swayed his thinking. The ex-Reds manager's "words weighed heavily" in Zabi's deliberations, Tavolieri reports, effectively settling the matter in Paris's favour.

Manchester United had been monitoring the midfielder's progress closely, viewing the statistics—two goals and three assists across 21 appearances this season—as evidence of genuine talent. Newcastle, meanwhile, had reportedly been circling closer to deadline day, with suggestions they were on the verge of securing a long-term agreement.

Howe's Summer Philosophy Bites Back

Eddie Howe defended his side's subdued January window, insisting there's greater "value for money" to be found in the summer market. The Newcastle boss reasoned that signing the wrong player now could prove costly across a multi-year contract, making patience the more prudent approach.

It's a philosophy that's left the Magpies empty-handed once again, watching as a prospect they fancied slipped through their fingers—courtesy of a Liverpool legend's involvement with a continental rival.