Dominik Livaković's return to Maksimir is not yet finalized. Negotiations with Fenerbahçe are ongoing, and in the meantime, Dinamo has been left without their first-choice goalkeeper ahead of a crucial Champions League playoff match.
Negotiations over Dominik Livaković's return to Dinamo remain at a standstill. Although the 31-year-old Croatian international wants to come back to Zagreb and the club wants to bring him in, an agreement between all parties has yet to be reached. Time is running out, and the situation is further complicated by a new goalkeeping crisis ahead of the season's most important matches.
As reported by Germanijak journalist Tomo Ničota, two key issues are holding up the transfer. The first is the agreement between Dinamo and the player on contract terms. Negotiations are still ongoing over the total value, fixed salary, and bonuses. The second, and perhaps bigger, obstacle is the transfer fee that the Zagreb club needs to pay Fenerbahçe.
The Turkish club has yet to decide at what price they would let their goalkeeper go. However, according to Germanijak's information, there are signs that Fenerbahçe might soften their demands. They are aware that Livaković insists on returning to Dinamo, so there is a possibility that the two sides could meet in the range of two to three million euros.
Dinamo seems to be employing a tactic of attrition. As the transfer window draws to a close, they are banking on pressure mounting on Fenerbahçe, making the Turks more willing to compromise. However, this approach carries significant risk. Even if Livaković were to arrive in short order, it remains questionable whether he would be in adequate physical condition after his injury and the World Cup, and whether he could be ready for the Champions League playoff.
The deadline to register players for the clash with Viking expires on Monday at 11:59 PM, which only adds to the uncertainty.
While the Livaković saga continues, Dinamo has faced a concrete problem in the goalkeeping position. Current first-choice Ivan Filipović received a red card in the away match against Kauno Žalgiris, meaning he will not play in the first leg of the Champions League playoff against Viking, scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, at 9:00 PM at Maksimir.
Ivan Nevistić will therefore take the goal, a goalkeeper who, until the 32nd minute of the match in Kaunas, had not played since the end of the Europa League group stage and the defeat in Midtjylland. His appearance in goal in such an important two-legged tie, which could bring Dinamo 15 million euros, represents a considerable risk.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the goalkeepers, Dinamo has already started selling tickets for the clash with the Norwegian champions. The pre-sale for club members began on Wednesday, August 12, at 11:00 AM and runs until Thursday, August 13, at 11:59 PM. General sale starts on Friday, August 14, at 11:00 AM.
Ticket prices range from 12 euros for the North Stand lower tier, which is exclusively for members, to 28 euros for the West Stand lower tier for other fans. "Let's go for the Champions League together," the club said on social media, alongside photos from previous European matches.
