Liverpool could be set to lose a forgotten star before the end of this year's summer transfer window, with a deal being lined up for the former Jurgen Klopp favorite
Stefan Bajcetic is set to leave Liverpool before the summer transfer window closes
Stefan Bajcetic is set to leave Liverpool before the summer transfer window closes(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
Liverpool ace Stefan Bajcetic looks set to leave the club late in the summer transfer window, with a deal close to being agreed for the midfielder to move on.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Reds in 2022/23, but injury troubles have since left him out of action and struggling for minutes at the top level. Bajcetic missed the entirety of the previous season through a hamstring injury that required surgery, failing to build on the tough loan spells he had with RB Salzburg and Las Palmas in the process.
With the Spaniard returning to training during preseason and building up fitness once again, the summer has provided some key questions about what is next for him in his career at Liverpool.
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That dilemma has been particularly pertinent this window, because the midfielder only has one year remaining on his contract, with no certainty that he will land an extension at Anfield beyond next summer.
Surrounding those questions, reporter Matteo Moretto reports that Bajcetic is closing in on a move to Celta Vigo, which will see him return to his boyhood club.
The Spanish club was where the youngster started out, before he made the move to Liverpool's academy in 2021, where he quickly progressed through the ranks to the senior team.
It will mark a disappointing end to Bajcetic's career at Anfield, which held so much promise during the early years under Jurgen Klopp, where he showed so much calm and poise on the ball.
Bajcetic could leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window
Bajcetic could leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
The midfielder showed lots of quality when Klopp gave him an opportunity in the 2022/23 season, where he racked up 11 Premier League appearances for the side.
Klopp showered plenty of praise on the youngster in the process, speaking in February 2023 and saying: "Stefan played exceptional and not because he is only 18, he just played exceptional.
"Top talent, super player. Played really good for us so far. Since he is with us, it is a pure joy to work with him. I think the mix of Serbia and Spain is a good one for football. If you meet him, he is a top, intelligent boy, and it is a joy to work together.
"The interesting thing is his dad and Thiago’s dad played together for Celta Vigo so not only Thiago, but Thiago as well took him under his wing.
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"He has a great bunch of players around him that he can work from and he is an absolute joy."
Unfortunately, what looked to be a promising start has since been shot down with injuries, but there is plenty of time for Bajcetic to rebuild his career once again.
That doesn't seem like it will happen at Liverpool, but Celta Vigo could give him the opportunity to shine at the top level once again.