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There was a time when senior staff within Kirkby and Anfield genuinely believed Stefan Baj?eti? was destined to anchor Liverpool’s midfield for the next decade. Having broken into the side during the turbulence of the 2022-23 season, the teenager displayed a composure, press-resistance, and tactical maturity that belied his tender years. Yet, fast-forward to the present day, and the landscape has changed drastically. Having gone 842 days without representing the Reds in competitive action his last appearance coming as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur in May 2024—Baj?eti?’s career on Merseyside appears to be reaching its natural conclusion. As reported by Matteo Moretto of Marca, Celta Vigo are now “almost certain” to sign the 21-year-old midfielder before the summer transfer window closes, describing a deal as “almost done.” ? ??????? | @MatteMoretto: ? ¡El Celta ????? a Stefan Bajcetic! ?? Principio de ??????? con el Liverpool para el ???????? del centrocampista vigués. ? El canterano tendrá ficha de ?????? y empezará jugando con el Fortuna en Segunda. pic.twitter.com/3J9uJlvy4D — Tenías Que Haber Tirado (@TQHTPodcast) August 25, 2026 A move to Balaídos would represent a poignant homecoming. Baj?eti? was born in Vigo to a Galician mother, who met his father Sr?an after the elder Baj?eti? signed for O Celtiña from Serbian outfit Vojvodina back in 1994. However, despite the emotional narrative, securing the former Academy prodigy’s signature is proving far more complex than a straightforward transfer transaction. As reported by This is Anfield, Liverpool are yet to receive a formal monetary offer for Baj?eti?. Spanish local outlet Faro de Vigo, considered exceptionally well-connected regarding Celta’s internal operations, reports that the La Liga outfit require the player to terminate his contract at Anfield which runs until June 2027 in order to complete the transfer on a free. The rationale behind this requirement is purely administrative. If Baj?eti? arrives on a free transfer, Spanish league regulations permit Celta to register him initially with their B team, Celta Fortuna, who compete in Spain’s third tier (Primera Federación). Were he to arrive via a traditional purchase for a transfer fee, that option would be off the table. For Celta, this distinction is vital. Having undergone hamstring surgery following an injury sustained against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in May 2025 which cut short his loan spell Baj?eti? has endured a grueling rehabilitation process. Celta intend to use their youth framework as a controlled environment to ease the 21-year-old back to match fitness without exposing him immediately to top-flight intensity. The club’s management are keen to facilitate his return, though head coach Claudio Giráldez remains cautious when assessing the prospect publicly. “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,” Giráldez explained in a recent press conference. “He’s 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.” Giráldez’s sentiment was mirrored by Celta Fortuna coach Fredi Álvarez, who underscored the midfield opening available for the former academy product: “We need a central midfielder, and we know Stefan can perfectly fill that position. In this final week, we’re going to try to sign a midfielder; we’ll see if it’s Stefan or someone else. “If he were playing regularly, we certainly wouldn’t have a chance of signing him because he’d have more ambitious goals. Stefan is a player who knows the club and whom we know, so hopefully, it can happen.” Recouping value vs pragmatism: Liverpool’s transfer dilemma For Liverpool’s sporting hierarchy, agreeing to a mutual contract termination requires careful internal balance. The Reds initially paid £224,000 to sign Baj?eti? from Celta’s academy in December 2020, beating out competition from Manchester United just days before post-Brexit transfer regulations came into force. While his talent remains undeniable, two unsuccessful loan spells first at RB Salzburg under Pep Lijnders and subsequently with Las Palmas combined with an extensive medical history mean Liverpool are unlikely to command a significant transfer fee in the current market. Though Getafe submitted initial inquiries last week, Celta remain the player’s primary preference.