Srdan Bajcetic, the father of Stefan Bajcetic, has revealed that Liverpool turned down the opportunity to sign his son until their fierce rivals Manchester United expressed an interest in him. When Bajcetic was offered to the Reds, the young midfielder, according to his father, was about to depart the youth ranks of Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, after scouting the young midfielder, Liverpool representatives got in touch with his parents. However, they made the decision to stop their pursuit in the 16-year-old. But before the Reds rekindled their interest, Manchester United expressed an interest and spoke with his parents as well. In 2020, the teenager finally moved to Anfield and is now already a part of Jurgen Klopp’s first team.
Srdan reveals how Liverpool ‘re-contacted’ him after learning United’s interest in Stefan Bajcetic
According to Stefan Bajcetic’s father, Liverpool reversed course and signed the midfielder after discovering Manchester United’s interest in him while he was still playing for Celta Vigo’s youth team. Bajcetic made an impression on scouts and left the Spanish club at the age of 16 to sign with Liverpool’s academy. The now-18-year-old had been rising through the Merseyside club’s youth divisions before to this season. This season, he has been promoted to the first team.
Due to injuries and a lack of transfer activity, Liverpool have been lacking options in the midfield. Bajcetic has emerged as a standout this season, recording 14 appearances for the first team across all competitions. He also started their recent 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Anfield. However, it could have been different for the youngster who would have donned United’s red colors than Liverpool’s.
Srdan Bajcetic, an ex-professional himself who played for Celta Vigo told El Mundo:
“Some scouts from Liverpool saw him and contacted us. But Stefan was still a child, not even 16 years old. He couldn’t go anywhere. At first, Liverpool told us that they couldn’t do it and then United called us, saying that they could. Liverpool found out and contacted us again to sign him.
“Celta does not have the financial power to make professional contracts at that age. Sometimes they run away. So that they do not escape, they must be put in the first team and the youngsters are represented.”
However, Srdan further acknowledged that his son is ‘lucky’ to be a part of the Liverpool first team. He insisted that the chance arose as a result of the injuries in the Reds’ midfield since the likes of Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Curtis Jones were all sidelined with knocks at different timelines this season. Srdan also expressed happiness that his boy was able to demonstrate his skill with the Merseyside outfit. He continued:
“He was lucky and he took advantage of an unexpected opportunity. It fills me with pride, of course, and we hope it continues like this. I see him well, focused and realistic, aware that he has to push to continue there.
“If I see that he is confused, I will tell him something, because the difference between a top player and a good player is the head and the mentality. And now he is more serious, he sees things and football differently. He almost thinks more like an Englishman.”