Sources at Spanish media outlet Relevo and renowned journalist Romano have diverged in negotiations over FC Barcelona's (Barcelona) loan of Liverpool's rising midfield star, Bajcetich, leaving the prospects of the deal in limbo.
According to Relevo, Barcelona has made an offer to Liverpool for a one-year loan of Bajčetić with a buyout clause of up to €30 million. In addition, Liverpool will retain a 20% cut of the player's future transfers should Barca choose to execute the buyout, and have a €70 million buyback right should Barca subsequently sell Bajčetić for €30 million. This complex transaction program shows the two clubs in the negotiations of the subtle game.
However, Romano's confirmation adds uncertainty to the deal. He stated that Barcelona's offer does not include a buyout clause, which is quite different from Relevo's report. The discrepancy could mean that the two clubs still haven't agreed on key terms, or that there was a misunderstanding in the messaging.
In addition to the controversy over the terms of the deal, Barcelona are also facing a serious challenge over the Financial Fairness Policy (FFP). According to reports, Barca must first resolve this issue before they can afford to pay for the deal. If they fail to find a solution by Wednesday, Bajčetić could sign for Red Bull Salzburg instead, which would undoubtedly deal a major blow to Barca's transfer plans.
Negotiations between the two clubs are still going on intensively, but the deal is not yet close to being finalized. The news has undoubtedly added to the anxiety of fans following the transfer and demonstrates the financial and legal complexities of the modern soccer transfer market. With the transfer window winding down, both Barcelona and Liverpool need to make a decision soon to avoid missing out on the highly-regarded young midfielder.
