An offer for 24-year-old Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from Southampton has arrived at Maksimir, while the club simultaneously promises an electric atmosphere ahead of the Champions League return leg in Norway.
GNK Dinamo is considering another solution between the posts as the transfer window draws to a close. According to information published by 24sata, citing Željko Janković's report in Večernji list, an offer has arrived at Maksimir for 24-year-old Gavin Bazunu, Southampton's goalkeeper and Irish international.
Bazunu's name has already been presented to Dinamo's sporting structure, and now an assessment is underway to determine whether his profile fits the needs of the Zagreb club. It is currently not publicly known what his potential salary would be, but from available data, it appears that financial circumstances are unlikely to be a major obstacle for the 'Blues'.
Bazunu already has an interesting career behind him. He developed his football education in Manchester City's youth system, and one of his first encounters with the Zagreb club was precisely against Dinamo. In 2019, he played for City's youth team in the UEFA Youth League, where they faced Dinamo's counterparts.
It wasn't long before he had his first taste of the English club's first team; in 2020, Bazunu was named in City's squad for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid.
The Irish goalkeeper now also has international experience, which further boosts his market value. Whether he will reconnect with Dinamo, this time as a potential new addition to the first team, will be decided by the Maksimir coaching staff after considering all aspects of a potential transfer. According to Transfermarkt, his value is eight million euros, and his contract with the 'Saints' runs until 2027.
Meanwhile, Dinamo is preparing for crucial matches in the Champions League qualifiers. The club's official Twitter profile announced that for the match at Maksimir on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 9 PM, tickets remain only for the North Stand upper tier. Prices are 12 euros for members and 17 euros for other fans.
"Tomorrow, all as one, from the pitch to the stands! A memorable Maksimir evening awaits us, and tickets are only left for the North Stand upper tier - call your parents, neighbors, friends... let's fill that stand too and write history together!" the club said.
The return leg of the UEFA Champions League Play-off against Viking will be played on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 9 PM at Viking Stadion in Stavanger, Norway. Dinamo fans will be seated in the away sector, Sector F of Viking Stadion, and tickets are already on sale at 249 NOK (approximately 22 euros).
The club emphasized important instructions: "When purchasing tickets, it is mandatory to select Sector F and enter the following code: zagreb260826. Tickets must not be purchased in the names of individuals who are not traveling to the match. Strict identity checks will be conducted upon entering the stadium, and entry will not be possible with a ticket issued in someone else's name."
"See you on the North Sea coast - play, play Dinamo, for new victories!" the club said.
On the same day, August 17, 2026, the 40th anniversary of the Bad Blue Boys fan group is being celebrated. On this occasion, former footballer and Dinamo fan Zvone Boban sent an emotional congratulation published on the club's official Twitter profile.
"To you, without whom nothing is the same - for 40 years, nothing has been the same! To you, who never stopped loving and living the blue - not for a single second of life, not for a single second of any match. To you, because of whom we have the Dinamo we've dreamed of for years. In tradition, in rebellion - always your own, forever Dinamo's! Happy Birthday Purgeri! Happy Birthday BBB group! Dinamo Zagreb above all, Dinamo Zagreb above everyone!" Boban wrote.
