Liverpool have completed the signing of 16-year-old Celta Vigo defender Stefan Bajcetic, pushing Manchester United to his signing in the process.
The youngster had been tipped for a move to Old Trafford, with recent reports suggesting negotiations were underway between United and the teenager ahead of a possible move in January.
However, The Athletic reports that Liverpool have been working ’round the clock’ to secure a move for the teenager, and they have now approved the deal which was made before January 1 – when new Brexit regulations come in place. .
The Merseyside side have reportedly followed Bajcetic’s progress since 2019, with a fee of € 250,000 (£ 224,000) now agreed for the young center-back.
As the two Premier League behemoths vie for the signing of the Celta Vigo man, it is understood that he has opted for a move to Liverpool on the grounds that a number of club were involved in the talks, including academy director Alex Inglethorpe, academy assistant director Nick Marshall and Under-23 coach Barry Lewtas.
Liverpool have also reportedly completed the signing of Birmingham City left-back Calum Scanlon. The England Under-15 international is reportedly costing the Reds £ 500,000 as they seek to bolster their ranks in the academy.
The youngster took to Instagram to express his joy at signing for the Premier League champions, writing the following message: “Happy to sign with Liverpool FC. A big thank you to the BCFC and everyone who has helped me progress to this point, but as of today I am starting a new chapter. The hard work continues, let’s go! “
This season’s defensive injury crisis has seen Klopp turn to a number of his young players, including Nathaniel Phillips and Neco Williams.
The duo have at times been tasked with filling the first team’s starting XI with some key players sacked due to injury, and Klopp is obviously keen to have more options available to him in the years to come.
