Barcelona summer signing’s agent reveals how the deal unfolded after loan exit came close: ‘Legally, that was not possible’ | OneFootball

Dominik Livakovic did not join Barcelona simply to provide goalkeeper cover, as his agent, Andy Bara, says the Croatian arrived with the intention of competing for the starting role next season.

Livakovic was one of Barcelona’s surprise moves during the summer transfer window. 

The club had been looking to strengthen the position with a view to the future, and although several options were considered, no agreement was reached with any target.

Andy Bara has now explained the thinking behind Livakovic’s move.

“Livakovic signed for Barça to prepare this year and be a starter next season and thus compete for the number 1 spot with Joan Garcia,” he revealed, as per SPORT.

Livakovic expected to get his chances this season

Although Joan Garcia remains Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper, Bara expects Livakovic to feature regularly.

Dominik Livakovic wants to fight for his place. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

“He could play between seven or ten games because it is very difficult for the starting goalkeeper to be in every game of a season. It’s a lot of games.”

The Croatian has already made his official debut after Barcelona completed his signing for around €3 million from Fenerbahce.

The expectation is that he will operate as Garcia’s main deputy, with Wojciech Szczesny further down the pecking order. Szczesny’s contract runs down at the end of the season, after which he is expected to retire.

That makes Livakovic’s development particularly important for Barcelona’s longer-term plans.

Dinamo Zagreb loan plan collapsed

Livakovic’s original move to Barcelona could have looked very different.

Bara revealed that the initial plan was for the goalkeeper to join Barça and immediately return to Dinamo Zagreb on loan for one season.

Dominik Livakovic was supposed to play for Dinamo Zagreb on loan. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

“We spoke with Dinamo Zagreb for a one-year loan, but then Dinamo called me and told me that they wanted a loan for two years. 

“I told them that, legally, that was not possible, and in the end it was not. If they had accepted a year, he would now be playing for Dinamo on loan from Barça.”

The proposed two-year arrangement could not be completed, leaving Livakovic at Barcelona instead, and Bara was also surprised by Dinamo’s decision.

“They wanted two years, and it couldn’t be, and, besides, Barça would not have accepted this proposal either. 

“Then Dinamo signed Kotarski for a single season, and it was something I didn’t understand,” he noted.

Livakovic ultimately signed for Barcelona, and if Bara’s plan is followed, the Croatian will spend the campaign trying to convince the club that he can challenge Garcia for the starting position in 2027.