Liverpool F.C. Are set to complete the sale of midfielder Stefan Bajcetic to Celta Vigo before Tuesday's transfer deadline. The deal will include a buy-back clause for the 21-year-old, who began his career at the Spanish club.
Bajcetic is closing in on a return to his boyhood side after falling out of the plans at Anfield. He has not played for Liverpool since May 2024 and his contract was due to expire at the end of this season. The transfer fee remains under discussion, but the structure of the agreement is now clear. This move comes as Liverpool sit 13th in the Premier League with two points from their opening two games.
Stefan Bajcetic's exit follows several injury-hit years that halted his promising progress. The Spaniard made his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old and impressed immediately under former manager Jurgen Klopp, making 19 appearances in the 2022/23 season. Klopp was a strong advocate, once saying, "Top talent, super player. Played really good for us so far. Since he is with us it is a pure joy to work with him."
Persistent fitness issues, however, prevented him from building on that early impact. He made just 22 total appearances for Liverpool and last played a competitive match in May 2025 during a loan spell with Las Palmas. With no pathway into the current midfield under manager Andoni Iraola, a permanent move became necessary.
Bajcetic's departure follows the summer sale of academy graduate Curtis Jones to Inter Milan. Liverpool's midfield has not seen major additions this window, with manager Andoni Iraola prioritising strengthening defence and the forward line. The core trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister remains firmly in place.
Wataru Endo and young prospect Trey Nyoni provide further options but are considered further down the pecking order. The club's current squad depth can be viewed on our squad page. This leaves the midfield group looking settled, if not expanded, as the season progresses.
The key element of the transfer is the inclusion of a buy-back clause for Liverpool. This mechanism allows the club to retain a future interest in the player should he rediscover his form and fitness in La Liga. Negotiations between the clubs have been ongoing for weeks and are expected to be concluded imminently.
Such clauses are a strategic tool, enabling teams to manage squad evolution while protecting their investment in young talent. For Bajcetic, it offers a clear route back to a familiar environment where he can aim for regular first-team football and rebuild his career.
This transfer activity occurs against the backdrop of a slow start to the new Premier League campaign. Liverpool have drawn both of their opening matches, scoring four goals and conceding four, leaving them with a zero goal difference. They are already four points behind early leaders Manchester City.
The immediate focus now shifts to the next fixture, an away trip to face 12th-placed Ipswich on September 4th. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures and standings pages. Securing a first win of the season will be the priority for Iraola's side as they look to climb the table.
