Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Red Bull Salzburg for Stefan Bajcetic – despite a late hijack effort from Barcelona.

According to The Athletic, Barcelona made an approach for the Reds midfielder after 17-year-old Marc Bernal ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the weekend. However, Barca did not manage to finalise a deal – with Fabrizio Romano claiming they couldn’t sign Bajcetic due to issues with financial fair play – and now he will head to Austria to finalise a season-long loan.

Bajcetic’s father, former Serbia international Srdan, was left stunned that Barca entered the race. And speaking to Catalan radio station RAC1 (via Fabrizio Romano), he’d like the Liverpool man to make the switch to the La Liga heavyweights. He said: “We didn’t expect Barça to enter the race. We have all ready to go to Salzburg. But we still don’t have any info on what’s going to happen.”

“I’d like Stefan to play for a top club like Barça or same Liverpool, he’s ready for top clubs.”

Bajcetic joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2020 and had a breakthrough season at Anfield in 2022-23. However, an adductor injury curtailed that campaign and he made just three appearances for the first-team last term.

Now, the 19-year-old will link up with former team-mate Bobby Clark – who joined Salzburg for £10 million ($13m) last week – but he is one for the future at Anfield.

Defensive midfielder Bajcetic has played for Spain at under-18 and under-21 level. The son of former Serbian footballer Srdan Bajcetic can also play at centre-back and now he will link up with former Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders – who is now Salzburg’s manager.

Bajcetic may not be registered in time to play against Rapid Wien in Austrian Bundesliga action on Sunday but could make his debut after the international break when they take on Austria Klagenfurt on September 14.