Barcelona Keep Livakovic in First-Team Plans After Loan Move Collapses

Dominik Livakovic’s first season at Barcelona will be spent inside the first-team group after a proposed return to Croatia on loan collapsed. The goalkeeper arrived from Fenerbahce for about €3 million in a surprise summer move and has already made his competitive debut, although Joan Garcia remains the established first choice.

Barcelona place Livakovic ahead of Szczesny

The initial plan after Livakovic’s permanent move to Catalonia was for him to join Dinamo Zagreb temporarily and play regularly in his home country. That arrangement did not materialise, leaving the Croatian international to adapt to Barcelona’s training and match environment instead.

Livakovic is now regarded as Garcia’s principal understudy, with veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny below him in the current order. Barcelona’s longer-term intention is for Livakovic to use this campaign as a settling-in period before challenging Garcia for the No. 1 shirt next season.

His representative, Andy Bara, said the move was designed to prepare the player for a larger role rather than immediately displace Barcelona’s current starter.

Dinamo loan talks ended over proposed term

Discussions with Dinamo centred on a one-season loan, but the Croatian club later sought a two-year arrangement. Bara said such a deal could not be completed within the legal framework and would not have received Barcelona’s approval in any case.

• Livakovic joined Barcelona from Fenerbahce for an estimated €3 million.
• Dinamo Zagreb were initially discussing a loan lasting one year.
• The proposal later changed to a two-year temporary move.
• Barcelona were not prepared to sanction that longer agreement.
• Dinamo subsequently brought in Dominik Kotarski on a single-season loan.

Bara expressed surprise that Dinamo later accepted a one-year arrangement for Kotarski after insisting on two years in their negotiations over Livakovic. Had the original one-season plan been accepted, Livakovic would have been playing in Zagreb this term.

Rotation offers route to more appearances

Remaining at Barcelona means Livakovic will have to compete for opportunities in cup matches and during periods of a congested schedule rather than receive guaranteed league minutes elsewhere. His agent believes those openings could still provide a meaningful number of appearances.

Bara suggested that Livakovic could feature in between seven and 10 matches, noting that it is difficult for any goalkeeper to start every fixture across a full campaign. The Croatian’s task is to use those chances to demonstrate that he can eventually challenge Garcia more directly.

Opportunity may grow after this season

Szczesny is expected to retire when his current contract concludes at the end of the campaign, which could further clarify Livakovic’s position in Barcelona’s squad. For now, the 30-year-old will focus on building trust with the coaching staff and establishing himself as the club’s long-term alternative to Garcia.