Barcelona are keen to sign Stefan Bajcetic on loan from Liverpool but the Premier League giants would prefer to reunite the Spanish midfielder with former Anfield coach Pep Lijnders at Red Bull Salzburg.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
In the aftermath of Barcelona’s nervy 2-1 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday night, it was confirmed that breakout talent Marc Bernal may have played his final game of 2024.
The 17-year-old has started all three of Hansi Flick’s games in the Blaugrana dugout so far. That run has now come to an agonising end, however, with Bernal rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and facing months on the sidelines.
In response, Barcelona have quickly turned to another teenage Spaniard who has also seen his development hampered with injury issues.
HITC understands that Barca have enquired about Liverpool starlet Stefan Bajcetic.
The Spain Under 21 international was a revelation under Jurgen Klopp in the 2022/23 campaign. The confidence and the swagger with which he went about his business in the number six role – he also scored a super solo effort against Aston Villa – saw Bajcetic earn comparisons with Camp Nou legend Xavi Hernandez.
Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic wanted by Barcelona
Barcelona, after losing Bernal for the foreseeable future, are keen to ensure that Bajcetic follows in Xavi’s footsteps, even if only on a temporary basis.
Flick’s side are willing to pay a small loan fee. They will also not insist on an obligation-to-buy clause being included in his contract.
Liverpool, however, have reservations about whether Barcelona is really the best place for Bajcetic to kick-start his career after he missed almost the entirety of last season.
Flick has shown plenty of faith in youth so far – Bernal starting regularly alongside Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and co – but there are concerns over how much Bajcetic would feature, especially once Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are back in the picture after injuries of their own.
Gavi also ruptured his ACL back in 2023.
HITC have been told that Liverpool will give Bajcetic the power to make his own decision. The Anfield giants will still look to guide him on the right option, however, and they believe that Red Bull Salzburg may be the best destination.
Under the control of Jurgen Klopp’s long-serving right-hand man Pep Lijnders, Salzburg have already snapped up one Liverpool starlet this summer. Bobby Clark joined in a £10 million deal, reuniting not only with Lijnders but also Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer.
“The fact that he is coming to us is a proper statement about what we are doing here,” Lijnders tells Vorarlberg Online of Clark. “We are happy and honoured that a talent from England has chosen Salzburg.
“He could have gone anywhere in England.”
Red Bull Salzburg and Real Sociedad eyeing Anfield starlet
HITC can confirm that Real Sociedad are another team looking into Bajcetic’s availability. Imanol Alguacil’s side retained the services of Martin Zubimendi despite Liverpool’s best efforts but sold Mikel Merino to Arsenal this week.
A return to Celta Vigo – where Bajcetic started his career – is also an option for the Andalusian-born homegrown starlet.
“We will see what happens with the market,” Celta head coach Claudio Giraldez told El Desmarque last week. “I am clear that, if we get what we want, we will make a hyper-complete team.
“(Signing Bajcetic) is possible, like everyone else. The market is open and it’s another possibility. He’s a player I know, who knows the club, who we’ve trained. And it’s another possibility.
“We’ll see how it goes. I’ll start thinking about the market between games.”
As for Barcelona, HITC understands that free-agent Adrien Rabiot has been offered to Flick by his representatives. The towering Frenchman remains without a club after his Juventus contract expired.
Rabiot’s considerable wage demands will be a major issue for an already cash-strapped Barca, however, with Bajcetic a much more affordable option.
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