Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring the progression of Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.
At the start of 2022-23, the teenager was viewed as a player who may be provided with the odd senior appearance in cup competitions.
However, the 18-year-old has developed into a key man at Anfield, partly helped by the club's experienced players enduring their poorest campaigns during their time on Merseyside.
Having initially been eased into first-team action during the opening months of the season, Bajcetic has since gone on to make seven starts and six substitute outings in all competitions.
Such has been the youngster's rise to prominence that he kept his spot in Jurgen Klopp's team for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.
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The Spain Under-19 international ultimately ended up on the losing side as Liverpool let slip a two-goal advantage to succumb by a 5-2 scoreline to the reigning champions.
Nevertheless, it appears that Los Blancos were already aware of the qualities of Bajcetic before they came face to face with him in European competition.
According to Fichajes, Real plan to keep track of the progress being made by the starlet over the coming years.
There is little prospect of Bajcetic being able to make the switch to the Bernabeu or fellow admirers Barcelona in the short term having only penned a five-and-a-half year contract last month.
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That said, it is suggested that either of the La Liga giants could look to move for Bajcetic if he continues on his current trajectory.
Real have made a conscious effort to freshen up their midfield in recent transfer windows, signing the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are blessed with the options that have progressed through their academy system, namely Pedri and Gavi, but Bajcetic is more in the mould of veteran Sergio Busquets.
Bajcetic spent time in the youth ranks at Celta Vigo before he made the move to England in December 2020.
Darren Plant
