CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former club Celta Vigo over a return, with a buy-back clause included in the deal.
It feels like a long time ago that Bajcetic was the flavour of the month at Anfield, performing so well during the 2022/23 season.
Since then, injuries have hampered the Spaniard’s progress greatly, and loan spells at RB Salzburg and Las Palmas didn’t bring huge success.
A reunion with Celta has been mooted this week, and now The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports on X that advanced talks are “progressing” over the transfer before Tuesday’s cut-off.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 10, 2024: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and BC Atalanda. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 10, 2024: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and BC Atalanda. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The move back to Bajcetic’s homeland would be a permanent one, but Liverpool are expected to include a buy-back clause in the deal.
Meanwhile, journalist Diego Otero says that a £1.5 million transfer plus “objectives” will be paid by Celta, with a three-year deal on the table.
The ideal outcome for both Liverpool and Stefan Bajcetic
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic walks out to watch the second half during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic walks out to watch the second half during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
We will never know how Bajcetic’s Liverpool career would have played out without the injuries, and that aspect of his exit is cruel.
But the brutal reality is that the 21-year-old isn’t at the level required to be a genuine squad option for Andoni Iraola.
A move back to Celtic feels like the best outcome for all parties, allowing Bacjetic to hopefully be a regular at a club he already knows well.
The beauty of the buy-back clause would also mean that Liverpool could bring the midfielder back if he excels in Spain, taking away the risk element of not including one.
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Bajcetic is still young enough to carve out an excellent career for himself, and it would be heartwarming to see him enjoy a far happier period.
As for Liverpool, the need to sign a central midfielder before the transfer window slams shut remains great, as the Reds’ two opening Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have shown.
Playing Dominik Szoboszlai in a deeper role isn’t working and is affecting the balance of the team, and barring 19-year-old Trey Nyoni, there is a complete lack of a natural No. 6.
Lucca Brughmans
3EX17N0 Genk, Belgium. 29th June, 2026. Genk's goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans pictured during a training session of Belgian first division soccer team KRC Genk, on Monday 29 June 2026 in Genk, in preparation of the upcoming 2026-2027 Belgian first division soccer season. BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS Credit: Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Wrexham AFC
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in the line-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Danns, Wright collage
Danns, Wright collage