According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have “submitted a direct loan proposal” to sign Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajetic. The 19-year-old Spaniard has not played for Liverpool this season as he is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued campaign last year.
Barcelona considering loan move for Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajetic
Bajetic is part of Arne Slott’s long-term plans
Barcelona’s offer includes a transfer fee of £3.4 million and no buy clause for the midfielder. Both Liverpool and Barcelona have long-term plans for Vaicetic and are therefore not interested in negotiating a permanent move.
Liverpool are considering loaning the Spaniard out this season, with Red Bull Salzburg, managed by former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders, also keen to sign the midfielder.
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The news comes as a surprise to fans frustrated by the lack of transfer activity so far – Liverpool’s only permanent signing was goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who returned to Valencia on loan – but the Reds are close to signing Juventus winger Federico Chiesa.
Liverpool have tried to strengthen their midfield in the latest transfer window, with the failure to sign Martin Zvimendi showing that manager Arne Slott perceives it as a weak spot, while Ryan Gravenberch’s strong start to the season suggests strengthening in this area is not as urgent as initially thought.
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Bajetic is well suited to the slot’s style of play but knows his opportunities with the first team are slim this season – he’s yet to be named in the matchday squad and faces stiff competition from more established names – so a loan move suits both sides as Bajetic continues to recover from a long-term injury.
The Spaniard joined the Reds at the age of 16 and broke into the first team for the 2022/23 season. He used the opportunity to show maturity and composure, starting all six league games that season and scoring one goal.
Bajetic replaces injured Bernal
Barcelona are searching for a replacement for 17-year-old Marc Bernal, who injured his anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday’s match against Rayo Vallecano, with the Spanish teenager expected to miss the rest of the season.
That has led head coach Hansi Flick to appoint Bajetic as the ideal replacement this season, another deep-lying midfielder with excellent ball development and recovery skills who has been described as “battle-hardened” after a turbulent few years.
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Additionally, the Spaniard could learn from compatriot Pedri, a graduate of the famed La Masia academy. It is unclear if Flick currently sees Bajetic as a possible starter. Bernal started Barcelona’s opening two games, but the new loanee could ease into the game more slowly.
But Barca are lacking in midfield options, with Bernal sidelined along with fellow wonderboy Gavi, potentially forcing Flick to make a decision, and Bajetic has proven fit in each of the Reds’ four pre-season matches but has not started any of them.