Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has reportedly had a loan move denied to a La Liga club, due to his ongoing injury problems.
Stefan Bajcetic loan turned down: A quick look
• Loan denied: A reported loan move to La Liga side Girona won’t happen due to Bajcetic’s ongoing hamstring problems
• Recovery timeline: Having hoped to return by Christmas, he has since suffered another injury setback
• Future plans: Liverpool intend to keep the midfielder on Merseyside to rebuild his fitness, with minutes likely restricted to the under-21s this season.
It has been 20 months since Bajcetic last played for Liverpool and eight months since he played any football in a competitive environment.
The 21-year-old has been recovering from a hamstring injury after undergoing surgery at the end of May, and his issues are still preventing him from going on loan.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 27, 2024: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic arrives before the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Following a spell at Las Palmas from January to May last season, the Spaniard has been linked with a move to Girona who sit 13th in La Liga.
Catalan sports paper Diario SPORT claimed the local club “explored loan deals for Marc Bernal and Stefan Bajcetic” but “neither will ultimately wear the Girona shirt.”
Their attention has now shifted to Inter Milan’s Kristjan Asllani instead, with the move for Liverpool’s youngster deemed off the cards.
Stefan Bajcetic injury update: When will the Liverpool midfielder return?
2KF9C79 BAJCETIC STEFAN, SPAIN U19 vs SAUDI ARABIA U20, Men, friendly match, Football Wek, Pinatar Arena Football Center. Spain, Region de Murcia, San Pedro (Pascu Mendez / Alamy Stock Photo)
Bajcetic had been out running around the pitches in Kirkby and hoping to be back in contention before Christmas, but that was before another setback hit.
The Athletic‘s Gregg Evans reported that “a fresh hamstring issue has thwarted his progress.”
The journalist added that the “operation in May was supposed to represent a fresh start, but another issue has delayed his return.”
It is unlikely we see him play for the first team this season and he is expected to be out of training until the end of the month at least, should everything go to plan.
His most likely source of minutes this campaign will be for Rob Page’s under-21s, alongside the likes of Kieran Morrison, Will Wright and Trent Kone-Doherty.
The Big Debate
Does Stefan Bajcetic still have a long-term future at Anfield?
With Stefan Bajcetic’s last start for Liverpool coming nearly 850 days ago, there are growing fears that his physical issues may prevent him from ever returning to his 2023 peak. As Spanish clubs circle for a summer transfer, should Liverpool look to cut ties, or should the club remain patient with the 21-year-old’s recovery?
Have your say: Is it time to worry about Bajcetic’s future, or can he still solve Slot’s midfield depth issues? Let us know in the comments.
There is interest from Spanish clubs for a permanent transfer in the future – ESPN said in the summer that Valencia, Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano are all interested – but for now he will remain on Merseyside to rebuild his fitness.
Having broken through under Jurgen Klopp during the 2022/23 season, Bajcetic looked the real deal. He had tenacity, bite in his tackle and a fantastic awareness of the game around him.
However, injuries are threatening to curtail a Liverpool career that once promised so much.