Barcelona recently made a late attempt to sign Stefan Bajcetic from Liverpool, but unfortunately, their continued financial struggles prevented them from guaranteeing the player’s registration with LaLiga. This ultimately led to Bajcetic opting to join RB Salzburg on loan instead.
Sources close to the player mentioned that Bajcetic also felt a sense of loyalty towards Salzburg manager Pep Lijnders, who is Jürgen Klopp’s former assistant at Liverpool. Having already discussed the move with Lijnders, Bajcetic felt comfortable making the decision to join the Austrian side.
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara played a key role in Barcelona’s pursuit of Bajcetic. However, despite his efforts, the deal did not materialize. Thiago, who recently retired and was working as part of new Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s coaching staff, ultimately could not secure Bajcetic’s move to the Spanish club.
Barcelona’s decision not to reinforce their midfield this summer changed after Marc Bernal’s injury. With key players like Gavi and Frenkie de Jong sidelined, and Ilkay Gündogan returning to Manchester City, Barcelona found themselves in need of midfield reinforcements.
Barcelona’s struggles with registering new signings became evident with Dani Olmo missing the first two games of the season due to LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. Despite joining for a significant fee, Olmo’s registration process took time, highlighting the complexities the club faces in completing transfers.
Stefan Bajcetic, a 19-year-old Spain under-21 international, initially joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2020. His versatility allows him to play as a centre-back, in midfield, or across the back four. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, sources have confirmed that he is fully fit after a complete preseason.
Barcelona’s failed attempt to sign Stefan Bajcetic sheds light on the challenges the club faces both financially and in terms of player registrations. While the pursuit was led by familiar faces like Thiago Alcantara, external factors ultimately prevented the deal from going through. As Barcelona continues to navigate their financial constraints and squad management, the need for strategic planning and swift decision-making becomes increasingly crucial.