Liverpool to close deal after 'quick negotiations': report

Arne Slot new first team manager of Liverpool Football Club at AXA Training Centre on June 19, 2024 in Kirkby, England.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool are in the process of arranging a rare January transfer in what's been a very quiet window once more.

The Reds have been conspicuous in their absence of crazed market movement over the past two transfer windows. While rivals have undergone huge rebuilds, Liverpool have made just two signings under Arne Slot, in the form of Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili – with the latter still on loan at Valencia.

Not that it's hampered the Merseysiders, who sit top of the Premier League and the league phase of the Champions League, with talismanic forward Mohamed Salah 3/1 favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

Liverpool sorting deal – to fix a disaster that unfurled earlier this season

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad reacts during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid at Reale Arena on October 06, 2024 in San Sebastian, Spain.

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad rejected Liverpool over the summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool are currently looking to tie down the likes of Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk to new contracts, and according to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, secure long-term replacements for all three. But speaking to FourFourTwo, Jacobs said that a defensive midfielder is still on the radar for the Reds, with Martin Zubimendi having rejected a move over the summer.

“You could make an argument that Liverpool could still do with another no.6,” Jacobs told FourFourTwo exclusively on January 13. “It's very telling that after not getting Zubimendi, they didn't sign another no.6, so on the list of priorities for 2025 in the next probably one to four windows, will be to bring in another no.6.”

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 14, 2024.

Liverpool have several areas of their team they want to improve (Image credit: Getty Images)

Stefan Bajcetic is one highly-rated prospect, ranked at no.33 in FourFourTwo's list of most exciting teenagers to watch at the start of last season, who may yet suit that defensive midfield role. The Spaniard was immensely impressive when he first burst into the senior team but has been on loan at Red Bull Salzburg this season.

Spanish outlet Atlantico Hoy via Sport Witness reports that La Liga outfit Las Palmas are close to bringing the star to the Canary Islands on loan, to follow in the footsteps of former star, Pedri.

Bajcetic has been a part of a wretched campaign in Salzburg, which has seen the Red Bull club embarrassed on the continental stage in the Champions League – where they sit 34th out of 36 in the league phase. Former Reds assistant Pep Lijnders left Anfield to step out of Jurgen Klopp's shadow and coach Die Roten Bullen, but has since been sacked himself, with on-loan Bajcetic's game-time limited in Austria.

The 20-year-old's development has been stunted by injury and a poor loan stint but this new move, said to be imminent after “quick negotiations” could position the youngster well for next season.

Stefan Bajcetic of Liverpool running during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City at Anfield on September 27, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Will Palmer/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Stefan Bajcetic may yet have a future at Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's view, Bajcetic could be perfect either as a no.6 or a no.8 and regular football in a technical league could set him nicely for a potential squad role next season.

Bajcetic is worth €8 million, according to Transfermarkt. The Reds travel to Slot's native Netherlands this week, as Champions League action resumes and the league phase draws to a close with a fixture against PSV.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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