FC Barcelona have tied down their future goalkeeping situation, agreeing a deal to sign 31-year-old Croatian international Dominik Livakovic from Fenerbahce. Fabrizio Romano has placed his "here we go" on the deal, and the fee involved is reasonable and allows the Blaugrana to cover one position on the roster long before it’s an acute emergency.
A favorable financial framework
Barcelona have struck an agreement worth a base of 2 million euros, to be supplemented by a further 2 million euros in performance-related incentives.
At approximately 4 million euros total, signing an established international presence for such a figure represents an opportunity that sporting director Deco could hardly pass up, not least considering it fits within Barcelona's salary cap constraints.
The 2026/27 loan arrangement
While he is expected to sign the contract for Barca imminently, it would be premature for fans to see Dominik Livakovic don the Blaugrana jersey at the Spotify Camp Nou for this season. That’s because the club intends to send him out on loan for the full 2026/27 season. He will continue to play regularly, and retain his minutes and form for the Croatian national team, without any of his wages contributing to Barca’s books until that period.
The plan for 2027 to replace Szczesny
The timing of when Livakovic's transfer to Barcelona will become effective (June 2027) matches the timing that veteran Polish shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny is expected to depart the club, having now entered into the final year of his current deal.
The club do not envisage extending him for another season and are actively looking towards the future. The understanding is that while Livakovic will eventually take the backup keeper role, once Szczesny has completed his tenure in Catalonia at the end of 2026/27.
Joan Garcia will surely wear the #1 on the back of his jersey for 2027/28, with Livakovic officially the senior backup. By acting now, Barcelona have gone one step closer to sorting their long-term goalkeeper plans out, two years ahead of schedule.
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