Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic ‘on the verge of joining RB Salzburg’ after FAILED talks with Barcelona… as Catalans fail to meet FFP limits and can’t afford another signing

Stefan Bajcetic is reportedly leaving Liverpool for a move to Red Bull Salzburg after talks with Barcelona fell through.

The Catalans attempted to hijack the deal by signing him on a one-year loan for £3.3m, in a bid to cover the absence of defensive midfielder Marc Bernal, who could be out for the rest of the season.

Bernal was sent off with the help of medical staff during the match against Rayo Vallecano. It was later confirmed that he had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Due to Barcelona’s financial problems, talks failed and Bajcetic is now set to be loaned to RB Salzburg, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano.

The Austrian club’s manager, Pep Lijnders, a former assistant coach at Liverpool, was particularly interested in the player, who barely got any playing time last season due to a serious calf injury.

Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic reportedly set to join RB Salzburg on loan

Barcelona and Hansi Flick tried to hijack the deal to cover the defensive midfield position

Catalans youngster Marc Bernal suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday

However, he was absent from September to April of last season, making only three appearances and playing 98 minutes.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has expressed interest in signing Bajcetic following several injuries in midfield.

The 20-year-old Gavi was previously expected to return to the field in November, together with his teammate Frenkie de Jong. Frenkie de Jong has also been sidelined since April with a sprained ankle and is expected to return in September.

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

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

Salzburg manager and former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders was interested in a reunion with Bajcetic

Bajcetic is reportedly leaving Liverpool after spending the past four years with the Reds, having left Celta Vigo’s youth academy.

It would be the second time Salzburg has signed a player from Liverpool’s youth academy, following the arrival of Bobby Clark during the summer transfer window.