- The Spanish team is following one of the emerging talents in Liverpool’s midfield
- Arne Slot previously praised the youth training product in midfield
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Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has emerged as an option for Real Betis as the Spanish club considers a move in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old rose to prominence in the first team under former manager Jurgen Klopp in the 2022/23 season, impressing as he made 11 appearances.
However, long-term adductor and calf injuries hampered his progress and the academy talent made just one appearance last season before Arne Slot took over in the summer.
A subsequent move to Red Bull Salzburg followed, where he worked under former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders, but things turned out well.
Liverpool’s original plan was for him to stay at the Austrian club, but Real Betis are now showing interest and could try to convince the club to complete a deal this month.
It remains to be seen whether the Premier League leaders would be willing to sell Bajcetic on a permanent deal or prefer to loan the youngster out on another temporary deal.
Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic – who is currently on loan at RB Salzburg – has emerged as an option for Real Betis
The 20-year-old made his first-team appearance in the 2022/2023 season but has struggled with injuries
Liverpool manager Arne Slot previously called Bajcetic a ‘very talented player’
Bajcetic has made 18 appearances in all competitions for Salzburg this season, including five appearances in the Champions League, but could be tempted by a return to his homeland.
His first move to RB Salzburg came with no obligation to buy and Liverpool boss Slot believes the youngster can still make an impact at Anfield in the future.
“I hope it will be an important year for him because he is a very talented player because he has been out for 15 months and I think he can become a very important player for us, only if he gets playing time now,” Slot said earlier.
“When you’re so young and you’ve been out for so long, all you need is playing time.
‘He could have playing time here, but we have six or seven very good midfielders, so his playing time here will always be more limited than we expect from him in Salzburg.
“So for him, and for us, we think it’s best for him to play at the moment, rather than maybe playing a few times and then sitting on the bench again for a long time.
‘It is very difficult to keep a player who has been out for fifteen months fit and only play against him occasionally.’
Bajcetic’s existing contract at Anfield currently expires in 2027.