Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has made a loan move to Las Palmas for the rest of the season, seeking a fresh start after a tough stint in Austria.
The 20-year-old had joined Red Bull Salzburg in the first half of the season, following a recommendation from former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders. However, his time at the club was far from ideal.
Bajcetic only started eight matches for Salzburg, and rumors surfaced about tension in the dressing room. Some senior players reportedly felt that the young midfielder and Bobby Clark, who joined Salzburg from Liverpool in August, were getting preferential treatment.
Liverpool decided to recall Bajcetic from his loan after these struggles, and he has now secured a move to Las Palmas, one of several clubs that showed interest in him. Real Betis and Porto were also in the race, but it is Las Palmas, currently sitting 16th in La Liga, that have won the race for the player’s signature.
The Spanish club have had a challenging season, winning only six of their 21 matches, and Bajcetic’s arrival is seen as an opportunity to boost their midfield. The young midfielder could make his debut for Las Palmas in their upcoming match against Girona, depending on whether the paperwork is completed in time.
Bajcetic’s decision to join Las Palmas comes after his previous coach, Arne Slot, had expressed the importance of regular playing time for the young player. Slot, who had hoped Bajcetic would become a key player for Liverpool, explained that at his age and after such a long injury layoff, the most crucial thing was to play regularly.
Unfortunately, with competition for places in Liverpool’s midfield, Bajcetic wasn’t going to get the minutes he needed at Anfield. Slot believed a loan move would give Bajcetic the chance to develop and gain experience, which could benefit Liverpool in the long run.
Now at Las Palmas, Bajcetic will be hoping to get the consistent game time he needs to continue his development. The move gives him the platform to prove himself and return to Liverpool stronger, with the possibility of challenging for a first-team spot next season.
Bajcetic joins a squad that already includes several former Premier League players, including Adnan Januzaj and Sandro Ramirez, and he will be hoping to make an impact and help his new team avoid relegation. For Bajcetic, this loan move is an important step in his career, and Las Palmas will be hoping he can fulfill his potential and contribute to their survival in La Liga.
