Liverpool’s Bajcetic Close to Joining RB Salzburg After Failed Barcelona Talks Due to FFP Issues

Stefan Bajcetic is reportedly set to leave Liverpool for a switch to Red Bull Salzburg after talks with Barcelona fell through.

The Catalans made an effort to hijack the deal, offering a one-year loan spell for £3.3m in order to cover the absence of defensive midfielder Marc Bernal who could be out for the season.

Bernal went off with the assistance of medical staff in their match with Rayo Vallecano and it was later confirmed that he suffered an ACL injury.

Due to Barcelona’s financial issues their talks fell through, and Bajcetic is now set for a loan to RB Salzburg, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano.

The Austrian club’s manager Pep Lijnders – the former assistant coach at Liverpool – was particularly interested in bringing the player, who struggled for playing time last season due to a severe calf injury.

However, he was absent from September to April of the last campaign, making only three appearances and spending 98 minutes on the field.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed interest in signing Bajcetic due to several injuries in the midfield.

The 20-year-old Gavi was previously expected to return to the pitch in November alongside his teammate Frenkie de Jong, who had also been sidelined with an ankle sprain since April and is set to come back in September.

Despite the departures of players such as Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City and Clement Lenglet to Atletico Madrid on loan, Barcelona cannot complete Bajcetic’s transfer due to LaLiga restrictions.

The German manager will need to find alternatives within the team for the next game against Real Valladolid on Saturday, such as Marc Casado, Fermin Lopez or Pedri.

Bajcetic is reportedly leaving Liverpool after spending the last four years with the Reds following his move from Celta Vigo’s academy.

This would be Salzburg’s second signing of a Liverpool academy product, following Bobby Clark’s arrival during the summer transfer window.