Stefan Bajcetic is expected to stay at Liverpool this season despite interest in a transfer, with there a number of reasons why he will be retained.
Bajcetic is not set to depart Merseyside either on loan or a permanent basis this summer, with the 20-year-old staying as part of Arne Slot‘s first team.
This is despite a number of clubs being credited with an interest in the Spaniard, including most recently Girona, and claims the player himself would be looking to return to LaLiga.
The Times‘ Paul Joyce and the Mail‘s Lewis Steele have now both reported Liverpool’s intention to keep Bajcetic.
Part of their reasoning is Tyler Morton‘s move to Lyon, while the opportunity to send James McConnell on loan to Ajax has also reduced the deep-lying midfield options in Slot’s wider squad.
Furthermore, Bajcetic will be eligible as a club-trained player in the Champions League, which is particularly valuable in terms of registering a full 25-man senior group.
In order to name 25 senior players in a Champions League squad, UEFA stipulate that eight must be ‘locally trained’ and at least four of those ‘club-trained’ – in other words, at the club for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
Another obvious factor is Liverpool’s commitment to the midfielder’s long-term fitness: Bajcetic is yet to fully recover after hamstring surgery in May and allowing him to join another club on loan would bring its risks.
If he stays as now expected, he can be carefully monitored at the AXA Training Centre while building up his training load with Slot’s first-team squad.
Then upon his return to availability Bajcetic could provide cover for Ryan Gravenberch in the No. 6 role as the Reds fight on four fronts again this season.
Slot could have nine options for his three midfield roles when the transfer window closes on Monday night, though Alexis Mac Allister‘s fitness issues and the need for Dominik Szoboszlai to fill in at right-back has shown how quickly that can change.
There will be many who are encouraged by Liverpool’s decision to hold onto Bajcetic for 2025/26, and his form in the second half of last season on loan at Las Palmas certainly makes him a player worth keeping an eye on.