Barcelona have failed in a late attempt to sign Stefan Bajcetic and the Liverpool midfielder will join RB Salzburg on loan, sources have told ESPN.
Barca were unable to secure Bajcetic's La Liga registration due to their ongoing financial problems, and sources close to the player said they could not risk waiting and missing out on a signing before Friday's transfer deadline.
Bajcetic, 19, also felt a degree of loyalty to Salzburg manager Pep Lijnders, a former assistant to Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, with whom he had previously spoken about joining the Austrian side.
The Spain Under-21 international had emerged as a target for Barca late on Wednesday after Marc Bernal was ruled out for months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcántara led Barca's bid for Bajcetic, whom they know well from their time at Liverpool, but their efforts ultimately proved fruitless.
Thiago, who retired at the end of last season, had been part of the coaching staff of new Barça coach Hansi Flick since the summer.
He recently left that role while he sorts out his tax situation between Spain and England while completing his coaching credentials, but a return is not ruled out.
Barca had previously decided not to reinforce their midfield this summer, but Bernal's injury changed their plans.
With Gavi and Frenkie de Jong still out injured and Ilkay Gündogan back at Manchester City, they have been left short in midfield.
However, Barca have struggled to register new signings with Dani Olmo missing the first two games of the season due to La Liga's financial fair play rules.
Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of 55 million euros ($72 million), finally made his debut in the win over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday after his registration was finally processed.
ESPN sources said the club could not offer immediate guarantees as to when Bajcetic would sign, forcing the Vigo-born youngster to make a decision before the transfer window closes.
Bajcetic, who is also eligible to play for Serbia, joined Liverpool from hometown club Celta Vigo in 2020 and has made 22 first-team appearances.
Initially a centre-back, Klopp moved him into midfield, although he can also play in any position across the back four. Injuries have hampered his progress in recent seasons, but ESPN sources say he is fully fit after a full pre-season.
