Liverpool shellshocked as midfielder wants Spanish move

Andoni Iraola has begun his work as Liverpool’s new head coach.

The Spaniard, 43, takes the reins following the departure of Arne Slot in June. The former Bournemouth head coach has pledged to give all his players a fresh start - and is getting a closer look at some of them this week during preseason.

One area where he has a lot of work to do is midfield. He is already reported to have spoken with both Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones - amid transfer uncertainty for the pair.

Midfielders' futures up for discussion

Elliott only has a year left on his deal following a return from an unsuccessful loan to Aston Villa. The Villans declined a £35m purchase - leaving the 23-year-old in limbo.

Jones is a target for Inter Milan and others - but the Italian champions have so far stubbornly refused to meet Richard Hughes’ asking price.

Another player whose future needs sorting is Stefan Bajcetic.

Stefan Bajcetic out of contract in 2027

The gifted Spanish 21-year-old is coming back from a brutal injury layoff and hasn’t featured for the first team in over two years.

Finally fit the former Celta Vigo youth will undergo preseason training alongside his colleagues - but he too is out of contract next year.

And that brings his future into sharp focus. Because Liverpool are unlikely to sanction a loan deal with only a year left on his deal - and that would be the usual course of action for a player requiring first-team minutes.

So there remains the possibility that Bajcetic could be sold with teams in Spain coming forward with interest.

Bajcetic wants La Liga move

Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano are already known to be keen with a report in Marca now claiming that Getafe - another La Liga club - are in the hunt.

No decision has yet been made over the deep-lying playmaker’s future as Iraola prepares to make an assessment of the squad. But there is danger lurking for Liverpool regarding Bajcetic - who was signed by Jurgen Klopp at the backend of 2020.

The report claims that he’s got his heart set on a return to Spain - where he spent part of the 2024/25 season on loan with Las Palmas.

Iraola “likes him a lot” claims the report before detailing the interest coming in for Bajcetic’s services from Spain.

“But Iraola wants to keep him for now; he wants to see him during preseason, “ the report reads.

“If he stays, he'll renew his contract with Liverpool. If not, he'll look for another club. He wants to return to Spain.”

That leaves Bajcetic’s future up in the air - a shame for a promising midfield schemer who made the breakthrough to the Liverpool first team in 2022.

Injuries and unproductive loan moves have shut down a promising career and this really feels like a make-or-break summer for the Spanish under-21 international.