Michael Edwards Liverpool transfer masterstroke and 'secret' clause explained after Barcelona bid
Liverpool transfer news as Barcelona have seen a late move for a youngster fail and will be all too aware of a masterstroke from Michael Edwards
Barcelona's late attempt to sign Liverpool's young talent Stefan Bajcetic has been unsuccessful, reminding them of a previous transfer masterstroke by Michael Edwards. The sporting director at Liverpool when Phillippe Coutinho was sold to Barcelona, is now the chief executive at football for Liverpool's owners FSG.
Barcelona will remember Edwards' negotiation prowess from their purchase of Coutinho in January 2018. Edwards managed to secure a £105million fee for the Brazilian, which could rise to £142m with various add-ons. While Edwards gained a reputation for his recruitment skills, the sale of Coutinho may have been one of his greatest achievements.
Not only did he secure a record fee for Liverpool, but he also ensured that Barcelona would not be able to buy any of their top players in the following years. It is understood that Edwards only agreed to Coutinho's move on the condition that for the next two years, Barcelona would have to pay an £89m premium if they wanted to sign any Liverpool player, reports the Mirror.
This stipulation, coupled with Barcelona's financial issues in recent years, prevented them from making the kind of signings that had previously seen them acquire Javier Mascherano, Luis Suarez and Coutinho in quick succession.
That clause ended in 2020, though, allowing Barcelona to enter talks for Bajcetic without restrictions. Barca showed interest in the Liverpool prospect with a loan offer, as minutes on the field have been scarce for him at Anfield.
However, The Athletic reports his future lies elsewhere, with Bajcetic set to join Red Bull Salzburg. He's set to travel to Austria this Thursday to seal a season-long loan.
This off-season has seen many young talents depart from Liverpool while the club has yet to announce new arrivals. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has justified the approach, acknowledging the need for these players to gain playing time away from Anfield.
"That's always a difficult one because young players want to play as well and if they want to develop they have to play. It's always like this. They come through the ranks of the youth academy," he commented.
"Either then you're good enough to play for us many minutes or you're still not there, or there's too much competition in your position. I think still this team, with what we have, have a lot of homegrown players.
"This club will always bring big good youngsters. You always want to take care of your own interest but you also have a responsibility towards the players and if they want to play somewhere and it is not possible with us, then you have to, in my opinion, let them develop somewhere else."
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