Liverpool to sell Bajcetic back to Celta Vigo with buy-back clause before deadline

Liverpool are poised to sanction Stefan Bajcetic’s departure before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with the 21-year-old midfielder set to rejoin Spanish side Celta Vigo in a deal that will include a buy-back clause, according to The Athletic.

Bajcetic began his career at Celta Vigo before moving to Anfield, where he made 22 appearances in total — 19 of them coming in a breakout 2022/23 season under Jürgen Klopp. Persistent injury problems derailed his progress, and he has not featured for Liverpool since May 2024. His most recent competitive action came during a loan spell with Las Palmas in May 2025.

With his Liverpool contract due to expire at the end of the current season and no place in Arne Slot’s plans, a permanent exit was widely anticipated. The inclusion of a buy-back clause signals that Liverpool are not entirely closing the door on the midfielder’s long-term future at the club.

Liverpool’s midfield this summer has remained largely unchanged, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister forming the core of the first-choice options. Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni remain at the club but occupy lower positions in the pecking order. Academy product Curtis Jones departed for Inter Milan earlier in the window.

Klopp had spoken glowingly of Bajcetic during his breakout campaign, describing him as a “top talent” and a “super player” whose quality stood out regardless of his age. “Since he is with us it is a pure joy to work with him,” Klopp said at the time. “I think the mix of Serbia and Spain is a good one for football.”

Bajcetic made his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old and was widely regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in English football. The move back to Galicia represents an opportunity to rebuild his career in familiar surroundings, with Liverpool retaining the option to bring him back should he rediscover his early form.