Celtic are on the verge of completing a significant signing, a player hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Despite securing another Scottish Premiership title under Brendan Rodgers in the 2023/24 campaign, the Bhoys are keen to bolster their squad further.
Celtic Close to Signing Dominik Livakovic
Turkish outlet Fotomac reports that Celtic have had a bid accepted for Dominik Livakovic. According to the report, Celtic offered €9 million (£8 million) for the Croatian international, and Fenerbahce have decided to accept the bid, with the 29-year-old eager to leave Turkey.
Livakovic’s desire to leave is said to stem from an incident in April when Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch and clashed with Fenerbahce players. The goalkeeper only joined the Turkish giants, now managed by Jose Mourinho, in August 2023. However, he reportedly bade farewell to his teammates before heading to Germany for UEFA EURO 2024.
Fotomac adds that Fenerbahce have already lined up Mattia Perin from Juventus as a replacement for Livakovic. An official announcement from Celtic is expected soon.
Last season, Livakovic made 47 appearances across all competitions, achieving an impressive 21 clean sheets and conceding just 46 goals.
Livakovic: A World-Class Goalkeeper
Livakovic has been lauded as “one of the best” goalkeepers globally. Ivan Nevistic, his former teammate at Dinamo Zagreb, praised him in Sportske Novosti: “We have one of the best goalkeepers. Not only in Croatia, but the world.”
This acclaim is well-deserved. Livakovic played a pivotal role in Croatia’s third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup and continued his excellent form into UEFA EURO 2024. His performance in the 1-1 draw against Italy, including a spectacular save from Alessandro Bastoni’s powerful header, highlighted his talent.
Following Joe Hart’s retirement after the Scottish Cup Final victory over Rangers, Celtic have been searching for a top-tier replacement. At 29, Livakovic could be the ideal candidate to secure the No.1 shirt for years to come.
If the deal goes through, it would be a major coup for Celtic. Securing a goalkeeper of Livakovic’s calibre not only addresses a crucial need but also enhances the team’s aspirations in both domestic and European competitions.
As Brendan Rodgers prepares his squad for the Champions League group stages and the defence of their Premiership title, Livakovic’s signing could prove to be a cornerstone of their success. The coming days will reveal whether this significant addition will be officially confirmed, marking the first major signing of Celtic’s summer transfer window.