It hasn't taken Jurgen Klopp long to settle into his new role at Red Bull, with the former Liverpool boss already drawing up a list of transfer targets he wants to sign for the clubs he now oversees.
After leaving his post with Liverpool at the end of last season, Klopp was expected to take a break from football for the foreseeable future. However, by October 9, 2024, the German coach had signed up for his next job.
Klopp will officially start the role in the New Year, but it seems he is already busy thinking about players his clubs can acquire.
The latest on Klopp's transfer strategy comes from journalist Sebastian Vidal, who claims a couple of Barcelona youngsters are high on the shopping list for Red Bull.
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Apparently, both Aleix Garrido and Noah Darvich are being tracked by Klopp ahead of his integration into the role and he sees the Barcelona teenagers as a perfect fit for the Red Bull group.
The pair have predominantly featured for Barcelona's B-team so far in their careers but Garrido did make his first-team debut, albeit briefly, as a substitute during Xavi's tenure at the Nou Camp.
Garrido has seen his development hindered by a metatarsal fracture he suffered in March and has not played yet this season. However, the 20-year-old is seen as one of the most promising prospects in the Barcelona youth system.
Darvich, meanwhile, was signed from SC Freiburg last summer, and the young German playmaker has made quite the impression since moving to the Catalan club.
The 18-year-old was involved in Barcelona's pre-season tour this summer but is yet to make his competitive debut for the senior team. Darvich was captain of the Germany Under-17 side that won both the World Cup and European Championships in 2023.
Red Bull clubs have a penchant for helping young talent develop into top players, with the likes of Dani Olmo, Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol all making a name for themselves within the group.
It remains to be seen whether Garrido and Darvich will be the next products to join that conveyor belt, or whether they will continue to forge their own path with Barcelona.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Barcelona, Red Bull Salzburg
Jakob Barnes