Barcelona loanee may have no way back as Deco pushes for new signing | OneFootball

Barcelona are moving forward with plans to sign Dominik Livakovic, and the potential arrival of the Croatian goalkeeper could have major consequences for Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future at the club.

According to MARCA, Barcelona do not intend to bring Ter Stegen back into the first-team setup once his loan spell at Ajax comes to an end if the club complete the signing of Livakovic.

As reported before, Barcelona have already reached an agreement over personal terms with the 31-year-old goalkeeper, while negotiations are continuing with Fenerbahce over the terms of a transfer.

However, the proposed Livakovic signing is not about Barcelona’s immediate needs. 

Rather, Deco is looking further ahead, with the club planning their goalkeeper structure for the 2027/28 season.

For the current campaign, Joan Garcia is expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper, with Wojciech Szczesny serving as the other senior option and a reserve-team goalkeeper filling the third spot.

The bigger decisions, however, are expected to come next summer.

Livakovic could join Barcelona now before a loan move

Barcelona plan to send Livakovic on loan this summer. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s plan for Livakovic is slightly unusual.

Although the club want to complete his signing this summer, the Croatian goalkeeper would not immediately join the Barcelona first-team squad.

Instead, the idea is to send him out on loan for the season, allowing him to continue playing regularly elsewhere.

Barcelona’s long-term objective would then be to bring Livakovic into the squad for the 2027/28 campaign.

That is because Szczesny’s contract is due to expire at the end of the current season, and there are currently no plans for the veteran goalkeeper to continue beyond that point.

Livakovic would therefore arrive as Joan Garcia’s backup and become part of Barcelona’s new long-term goalkeeping structure.

Ter Stegen’s has no future at Barcelona

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has no future at Barcelona. (Photo courtesy: Ajax official website)

The biggest consequence of the Livakovic operation could be for Ter Stegen.

The German goalkeeper is currently spending the season on loan at Ajax, but according to MARCA, Barcelona do not plan to reintegrate him into the first team if the Livakovic transfer goes through.

That would represent a significant change for a player who spent years as Barcelona’s undisputed No. 1.

Joan Garcia has now taken control of the starting role, while Barcelona appear to be planning their future around him. 

Livakovic would then provide the experienced competition and cover required once Szczesny’s contract expires.

Hence, there would be no room left for Ter Stegen in that structure.