Livakovic heads for Barcelona as Szczesny faces demotion
Meta description EN: Dominik Livakovic is due for a Barcelona medical before signing until 2030. His immediate role depends on salary space, with Szczesny at risk.
Barcelona are completing the signing of Dominik Livakovic from Fenerbahce. The Croatian goalkeeper is due to undergo his medical and sign a contract until 2030, although his place in the squad has not been settled quite as quickly as the transfer itself.
Fenerbahce are expected to receive €2 million up front and another €2 million in potential add-ons. Livakovic is scheduled to arrive in Barcelona on Tuesday, with his medical planned for Wednesday. The paperwork has reportedly been signed, but Barcelona have yet to publish an official announcement.
The original idea was to secure Livakovic now, send him on loan for the 2026–27 season and bring him into the first team when Wojciech Szczesny’s contract expires next summer. A return to Dinamo Zagreb was mentioned as the most likely temporary destination.
That plan could now change. SER Catalunya reports that Livakovic will stay and become Joan Garcia’s immediate understudy. If that version is confirmed, Szczesny would drop to third place in Barcelona’s goalkeeping order.
The decision is not considered final by every source. Mundo Deportivo says keeping the Croatian depends on the salary space available for his registration. A loan remains possible if Barcelona cannot fit him into their current limit.
AS also describes immediate integration as an option under consideration. Joan Garcia remains the established first choice, while Livakovic and Szczesny could compete for the role behind him.
Signing an experienced goalkeeper a year early is understandable. Barcelona know that a player available today may become financially impossible to register tomorrow. The club have therefore secured Szczesny’s possible successor before deciding whether the succession should begin immediately.
Livakovic is arriving, the contract is ready and the medical is scheduled. Barcelona now only need to determine whether he will be the second goalkeeper, the third goalkeeper or somebody else’s goalkeeper for a season. The transfer is complete. The job description is still loading.
