Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic has emerged as a surprise Middlesbrough target as the Championship club prepare for Hayden Hackney’s expected Everton exit.
Everton’s move for Hayden Hackney appears to be edging closer, and while Middlesbrough face the difficult task of replacing one of the Championship’s standout midfielders, attention has now reportedly turned towards Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic.
Hackney’s expected departure would leave a significant hole in Kim Hellberg’s midfield ahead of what Boro hope will be another promotion push, and after cooling their interest in Leicester City’s Oliver Skipp, the Teesside club are now being linked with a player whose Liverpool career has stalled through no fault of his own.
For Bajcetic, meanwhile, the coming weeks could prove pivotal as Liverpool weigh up the next stage of the highly-rated midfielder’s development under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Hackney exit set to reshape Middlesbrough’s plans
Everton are understood to be closing in on the signing of Hackney in a deal that could eventually be worth £25 million.
The England Under-21 international has established himself as one of the Championship’s most accomplished midfielders over the past two seasons, and his departure would inevitably force Middlesbrough into the transfer market.
A number of names have already been considered.
Leicester City’s Oliver Skipp was reported to be among the leading candidates, but according to the Leicester Mercury, Middlesbrough have been discouraged by Leicester’s reported £15m valuation following the Foxes’ relegation.
As a result, alternative options are now being explored.
Bajcetic emerges as a serious option
Among those now said to be under consideration is Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.
The 21-year-old has endured a frustrating two years after bursting onto the scene during Jurgen Klopp’s final full season at Anfield.
A series of injuries has prevented the Spaniard from building on an outstanding breakthrough campaign, while loan spells at RB Salzburg and Las Palmas have failed to provide the sustained momentum that had been hoped for.
According to the Leicester Mercury, Middlesbrough have now placed Bajcetic alongside Everton youngster Harrison Armstrong on their shortlist as they assess potential replacements for Hackney.
A move to the Championship could offer the midfielder the regular first-team football that has largely eluded him since 2023.
It is easy to forget just how highly Bajcetic was regarded before injuries interrupted his development.
Having joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo’s academy in 2020, the midfielder progressed rapidly through the club’s youth ranks before making his senior breakthrough under Klopp.
His composure, intelligence in possession and maturity quickly stood out.
Rather than simply benefiting from injuries elsewhere, Bajcetic earned his place on merit and was regularly selected ahead of experienced midfielders including James Milner and Naby Keita during Liverpool’s difficult 2022/23 campaign.
Klopp was glowing in his assessment.
The German described him as “a top boy, really smart and calm” and added that the young midfielder was “a joy to work with.”
Liverpool supporters shared that enthusiasm, voting Bajcetic as the club’s Player of the Month during his breakout season.
Unfortunately, his progress was halted when he suffered a serious adductor injury in March 2023.
Since then, first-team appearances have been extremely limited.
The Reds remained convinced that regular football represented the best route back for Bajcetic.
He was sent on loan to RB Salzburg before later spending time at Las Palmas during the 2024/25 campaign.
Even before that move to Austria was completed, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that Barcelona had attempted to sign the midfielder on loan before Salzburg ultimately secured his services.
Despite those opportunities, fitness problems continued to interrupt his progress. He later underwent hamstring surgery before suffering further setbacks, ultimately resulting in him missing the entirety of last season.
Bajcetic shared several photographs of himself training individually at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre on Instagram alongside the simple caption: “Back on track.”
Stefan Bajcetic on Instagram:
“Back on track.” pic.twitter.com/K4DJxmyDxV
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) June 13, 2026
The hope will be that the midfielder can finally enjoy an uninterrupted pre-season.
Bajcetic remains under contract until 2027, but Liverpool are approaching an important crossroads regarding his future. The midfielder is expected to be assessed during pre-season before a final decision is taken. Another temporary move appears the most likely outcome, although a permanent transfer cannot be ruled out if the right proposal arrives.
From Middlesbrough’s perspective, Bajcetic would represent a different profile to Hackney but one with equally significant upside.
His technical quality has never been questioned, while his tactical intelligence and ability to dictate possession would suit a side expected to dominate the ball against many Championship opponents.
The primary concern, naturally, remains his fitness record.
If Liverpool are satisfied that those issues are finally behind him, Boro could find themselves signing one of the division’s most gifted midfielders on loan.
For the player himself, regular starts in a competitive league may be exactly what is required before attempting to force his way back into Liverpool’s long-term plans.
A season playing regularly in the Championship could represent exactly the environment needed to rebuild both rhythm and confidence after such an unfortunate run of injuries.