Liverpool and Red Bull Salzburg have reportedly come to an agreement over the loan transfer of Stefan Bajcetic after Barcelona failed with a late bid to hijack the move.
The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the Reds' ranks and burst onto the scene in the 2022-23 season, before injury hampered his development last season.
Bajcetic was restricted to just three matches for the senior team in the 2023-24 campaign, although there was optimism that he could play a prominent role under Arne Slot this season.
Apart from Bajcetic, Wataru Endo is Liverpool's only recognised number six, and the Reds have been attempting to strengthen in that area this summer, failing with a concerted attempt to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
However, with Ryan Gravenberch performing well as Liverpool's deepest midfielder so far this season, Bajcetic has not made a competitive matchday squad under Slot, and The Athletic reports that he will now leave on loan for Salzburg.
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Barcelona 'fail' with Bajcetic hijack attempt
A switch to the Austrian giants was always considered the most likely outcome for Bajcetic, who will link up with ex-Liverpool teammate Bobby Clark and former Reds assistant boss Pep Lijnders in Salzburg.
However, Barcelona - who have been left short in midfield due to Marc Bernal's recent ACL injury, as well as the absences of Gavi and Frenkie de Jong - supposedly made a late attempt to pip Salzburg to a deal on Wednesday.
Hansi Flick's side were unsuccessful in doing so, though, as the report adds that they were unable to finalise an agreement, and Bajcetic will head to Austria on Thursday to complete his temporary switch.
The Reds are reportedly set to receive a small fee for loaning out Bajcetic, who joined the Merseyside giants from Celta Vigo in 2021 and has now played 22 times for the first team in all competitions.
Bajcetic scored his first goal for the Reds in a 3-1 Premier League win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day 2022 and has won one EFL Cup at Liverpool, but he missed the 2023-24 final success over Chelsea due to a calf injury.
Will Barcelona sign a new midfielder after Bajcetic failure?
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Following confirmation of the devastating news that Bernal had ruptured his ACL, Barca boss Flick publicly stated that he had enough midfielders to cover, but the Blaugrana's pursuit of Bajcetic suggests differently.
The emergence of Marc Casado has eased Barca's midfield crisis, but the 20-year-old is now just one of a handful of options in the Blaugrana engine room, alongside Pedri - who cannot be trusted to stay fit - Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo and Pablo Torre, the latter two of whom are attack-minded.
Instead, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona could try an audacious late move for Al-Ittihad's N'Golo Kante, who has been linked with a return to European football ever since shining for France at the Euros.
Flick's side were also tipped to move for Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich this summer, but the former is staying at Real Sociedad, and it is surely too late for a blockbuster deal to be secured for the latter.
Ben Knapton
