Barcelona’s Dominik Livakovic move reaches contract stage as announcement is held up

Barcelona have completed the main formalities of their move for Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but the club must wait before officially confirming the transfer because Fenerbahce have yet to send the final documents.

According to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the 31-year-old arrived in Barcelona yesterday and successfully completed his medical examination on Wednesday morning. He subsequently signed a contract with the Spanish club that runs until June 2030.

However, Barcelona will not be able to announce the deal until the remaining paperwork arrives from Fenerbahce. The Turkish club has postponed sending those documents until Thursday because it is preparing for a crucial fixture against French side Lyon on Wednesday evening.

The match is the second leg of the final qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League, with Fenerbahce’s immediate focus on securing progress in the competition before completing the administrative process connected to Livakovic’s transfer.

Before visiting Barcelona’s offices at Spotify Camp Nou to sign his contract, Livakovic had lunch with club president Joan Laporta, vice-president Rafa Yuste and his agent, Andy Bara.

Although the goalkeeper has now signed for Barcelona, his precise role within the squad has not yet been settled. One possibility is that he remains at the club as the second-choice goalkeeper. Another is that he leaves on loan for one season before returning to Barcelona next year, after the contract of veteran Poland international Wojciech Szczesny expires.

Barcelona must also establish how much room they have under financial fair play regulations before deciding whether they can register the Croatian goalkeeper in their squad.

That issue means the completion of the contract does not immediately guarantee that Livakovic will be available for competitive selection. The club is still waiting to assess its registration margin and determine whether the necessary conditions are in place to add him to the squad.

The delay in the public announcement is therefore procedural rather than a sign that the transfer has broken down. Livakovic has passed his medical and signed terms with Barcelona, while the official confirmation is dependent on Fenerbahce supplying the outstanding documents.

His future at Barcelona remains open in the short term, with the club yet to choose between keeping him as a reserve goalkeeper and arranging a temporary move elsewhere. That decision will be considered alongside the club’s registration position and the conclusion of Szczesny’s current contract.

The transfer follows the Croatian goalkeeper’s arrival in Barcelona and his meetings with senior figures at the club, but the final public confirmation will not take place until the documentation from Fenerbahce is received.