There was a time when most Liverpool fans believed Stefan Bajčetić was destined to be the future of their midfield. Now though, having not represented the Reds for 842 days, his career on Merseyside appears to be over.
As reported by Matteo Moretto of Marca, Celta Vigo are "almost certain" to sign the 21 year old this summer, describing the deal as "almost done". This would represent a return home for Bajčetić. He was born in Vigo to a Galician mother, who met his father Srđan Bajčetić after he joined O Celtiña from Serbian outfit Vojvodina in 1994.
However, this deal may not be as straight forward as it first seems. Jack Lusby of This is Anfield reports that the club "are yet to receive any formal" offer for Bajčetić, while a move to Celta Vigo would require the 21 year old to terminate his contract, but why is this?
Well, if he arrives on a free transfer, this would make him eligible to feature for Celta's B team, known as Celta Fortuna. They currently play in the Primera Federación, having been promoted from Spain's fourth-tier last season. Were he to join for a fee, he would be unable to do so.
The La Liga club plan to integrate him into their youth team to start with, as a way of rebuilding his fitness. Since his last Liverpool appearance against Tottenham in May 2024, Bajčetić has been loaned out to both RB Salzburg and Las Palmas.
However, he has not played since requiring hamstring surgery, after sustaining an injury against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán all the way back in May 2025. Thus, one can understand why Celta are hesitant to commit to him without being able to ease the 21 year old back into action.
Well, their manager Claudio Giráldez, who was coaching Os Celestes' youth teams before becoming first team boss, certainly seemed eager to bring him back to Balaídos.
"If he's happy and we can reach an agreement, it would be a good situation, but I'm not thinking about that right now. He'a homegrown player; I don't talk about players we don't have... we have a very good relationship. I coached him. If it happens, great. "Claudio Giráldez
Following last season's sixth place finish in La Liga, Celta Vigo are back in the Europa League, having reached the quarter-finals of the same competition last time round. Thus, there will be plenty of minutes to go around, and returning to the club with whom he spent seven years as a child might just be exactly what Bajčetić needs. This though will require Liverpool to sacrifice any fee, which could prove an issue.
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