Liverpool's Midfield Reshuffle: Bajcetic's Departure and No Replacement
Liverpool’s midfield reshuffle has claimed another casualty – and the club have made their call on whether anyone new is coming in to replace him.
After Curtis Jones’ £30m move to Inter Milan, the spotlight at Anfield briefly swung away from the wings and back onto the centre of the pitch. The numbers looked healthy enough on paper: Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Trey Nyoni, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic still on the books.
Scratch the surface and the picture changes. Only Endo and Bajcetic are natural defensive midfielders, and neither is close to the top of the current pecking order.
Now one of them is heading out.
Bajcetic set for Celta return
Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell Stefan Bajcetic back to Celta Vigo, the club where he came through the ranks before moving to Merseyside.
Italian reporter Matteo Moretto revealed on DAZN_ES that a club-to-club agreement is in place. As translated by AnfieldSector, he described it as a permanent transfer with a twist: Liverpool will keep a percentage of any future sale.
For Celta, the move is low risk. The structure means virtually no money is paid up front, with the fee made up of bonuses and that sell-on clause. Bajcetic is expected to undergo his medical in Vigo soon.
He leaves Liverpool after a difficult, injury-riddled spell. Still only 21 and into the final year of his contract, he has managed fewer than 60 appearances across the last four years. Given that record, Liverpool accepting a nominal fee is no surprise, and the sell-on clause becomes their insurance policy if he finally gets a clear run at his career back in La Liga.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Celta Vigo are “closing in” on an agreement over personal terms with the midfielder, with all sides now moving towards the finish line.
No replacement incoming
Two midfielders out, none in. That is Liverpool’s stance.
While supporters debate the depth in the middle of the park, the club’s hierarchy are looking elsewhere. The priority remains the wide attacking positions, where Liverpool are actively exploring deals.
Inside the squad, the answer to the midfield question has already been promoted.
Earlier this week, TEAMtalk revealed that teenager Trey Nyoni has been bumped up to fourth choice in the central midfield hierarchy. Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Mac Allister will scrap for the two starting roles. Behind them, Nyoni is next in line, with Endo viewed as fifth choice.
The Athletic backed that view, with James Pearce reporting that senior club sources insist there are no plans to replace Jones or Bajcetic. The club believe Nyoni is ready to take on a bigger role this season, despite the clamour for reinforcements that grew louder after the dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
Unless there is a late change of heart, the message from Anfield is clear: the midfield rebuild pauses here. The real investment, they believe, has to come out wide.
