Liverpool youngster’s father surprised by Barcelona approach, with midfielder ‘ready’ to leave

The father of Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic has said they “didn’t expect” Barcelona to bring in the midfielder, and were “all prepared” for him to move to RB Salzburg instead.

Bajcetic made a positive debut in the Premier League two seasons ago. The 19-year-old has played 11 times in the English top-flight in 2022/23, scoring his first goal in just his second game.

Last season, however, a long-term calf injury kept him out of action just three times in all competitions.

It is therefore a surprise that Barcelona have now joined the group for Bajcetic. Fabrizio Romano revealed a £3.4million bid for the Spaniard, and the midfielder’s father has since confirmed the La Liga giants’ interest.

“We didn’t expect Barça to enter the race… we are all ready to go to Salzburg. But we still have no information about what is going to happen,” he added.

“I would like Stefan to play for a big club like Barca or even Liverpool, he is ready for the big clubs.”

But while Bajcetic’s father wants him to make a move to a big club if he is to leave Anfield this summer, it seems unlikely that Barcelona will be his next destination.

RB Salzburg have approached him for a loan move, and according to Romano, the move has a good chance of happening.

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Indeed, on X, the transfer insider stated that Barcelona “currently cannot proceed” with the deal for Bajcetic “due to issues with the Financial FairPlay”.

He claims that if nothing changes in the immediate future, Salzburg are “hopeful” of completing the deal, with the midfielder’s loan move expected to be confirmed.

Barcelona have already had problems registering new signing Dani Olmo, with no funds available to do so, and so it appears that it will be very difficult to bring in Bajcetic, even for a small fee.

The Spanish side also lost out to Liverpool for Federico Chiesa, another cheap transfer, so their ability to splash the cash at the end of the summer window seems unlikely.

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