Barcelona have made a late attempt to hijack Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic's loan move to RB Salzburg, but sources have confirmed to ESPN that the Austrian club have secured the deal. The 19-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, is looking to gain valuable playing time and continue his development, and Salzburg, coached by Jürgen Klopp's former assistant Pep Lijnders, have emerged as the frontrunners for his signature.
The transfer saga began when Marc Bernal, a young prospect for Barcelona, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury, leaving the Catalan side in need of a replacement midfielder. Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who knows Bajcetic well from his time at Anfield, is said to have pushed for a season-long loan move to be completed. With Gavi and Frenkie de Jong still out injured and Ilkay Gündogan back at Manchester City, Barcelona were desperate to bolster their midfield.
However, Salzburg, who have already signed fellow midfielder Bobby Clark from Liverpool in a $13.2 million deal, were already in advanced negotiations with Bajcetic. Sources say that the Spanish youngster had even undergone a medical in Austria before Barcelona entered the picture. While Barcelona's offer, which included a €4 million loan fee and no buy clause, was tempting, Salzburg were ultimately able to finalize the deal.
Bajcetic, who joined Liverpool from his hometown club Celta Vigo in 2020, has made 22 appearances for the first team. He is a versatile player who can operate in midfield or defense, but injuries have hampered his progress in recent seasons. He is expected to travel to Austria to complete the move and will be hoping to get back to his best form under Lijnders.
A Blow for Barcelona, a Win for Salzburg
The move represents a blow for Barcelona, who were hoping to add a promising young talent to their squad. However, it is a major coup for Salzburg, who have now secured the services of two Liverpool academy graduates in quick succession. The Austrian club are known for their development of young players, and Bajcetic will have the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Austrian Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.
Bajcetic's Future
With Bajcetic gone, Liverpool have Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch as their central midfield options, as well as academy graduate Trey Nyoni. The move could also have implications for Tyler Morton, who is reportedly set to stay at Liverpool after a loan bid from Bayer Leverkusen was rejected. It is clear that Liverpool are placing their faith in their young players, and Bajcetic will be hoping to prove his worth at Salzburg.
A Time for Growth
This loan move represents a significant opportunity for Bajcetic to gain valuable experience and continue his development. While Barcelona would have been a more glamorous destination, Salzburg offers a chance to play regular football in a competitive league. The Austrian club is known for its development of young players, and Bajcetic will be hoping to make a big impact during his time there.
A New Chapter
The transfer saga of Stefan Bajcetic has come to an end, and the young midfielder is now set to embark on a new chapter in his career at Red Bull Salzburg. This is a move that could benefit both player and club, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in Austria. Only time will tell whether this will be a move that propels him to greater heights or one that he will look back on with regret.
