The Eagles have reportedly emerged as frontrunners for Dominik Livaković, but the World Cup star’s desire for regular minutes could derail a move to Selhurst Park.
According to numerous reports coming out of both Croatia and Turkey, Crystal Palace have positioned themselves to sign Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković from Fenerbaçhe.
Links have been doing the rounds since before the World Cup, but it now appears that Palace have presented the most appealing offer, according to a report from Croatian outlet Index HR.
Livaković started every game for Croatia at the World Cup, and played a key role until they crashed out to Portugal in the Round of 32 after a late equaliser was controversially disallowed. Now he’s returned from international duty, his entourage are keen to secure a move away from the Turkish club.
Would Livaković come in as first choice?
A huge reason for his fall out in Istanbul was the arrival of former Manchester City ‘keeper Ederson, who took the number one place and Livaković was left to sit on the bench. At Palace, Dean Henderson displaced Sam Johnstone as first choice almost immediately after a £17.5 million move from Manchester United.
Since then, the 29-year-old has been flawless, playing a crucial role in Palace’s recent success and capturing the imagination of the fans in the process.
Livaković is 31, so a move to Selhurst would make little sense in terms of ambitions to become first choice. Henderson has earned the No.1 shirt, and unless he’s sold, signing another ‘keeper who will be expecting to play would be nonsensical.
There is also the element of this story where Livaković doesn’t necessarily want to move to England. He spent the best part of seven seasons playing every week for Dinamo Zagreb prior to his £7.5 million move to Turkey. Ederson arrived in Istanbul two years later, and took the starting birth from the Croatian.
A loan move to Girona also provided no minutes, before Livaković returned to Zagreb on loan for the second half of last season, finally playing again consistently.
The reports coming from Croatia have made it clear that Livaković wants to stay in his home country, where not only is he a club legend for Zagreb, but would also be guaranteed a starting spot.
Rumour Rating - 4/10
The issue with Livaković’s ambitions is that Zagreb are strapped for cash, and would not be able to meet the demands from Fener, who are searching for a fee in the region of £4 million.
These are rumours coming from Croatia and also from Livaković’s agency/management. A move to Palace would not make sense for the player more than anything. Walter Benitez is already in place as backup to Henderson, and with two years left on his deal is unlikely to move on until that contract has passed.
Would Livaković be a good backup option for Palace? Absolutely. But there is little justification for the club spending circa £4 million unless of course Henderson is to be sold, of which there have been no rumours whatsoever this Summer.
The rumor rating is considering the fact that links between Livaković and Palace have been present for the last six weeks or so, and the latest update being the reference article suggests that talks could well be happening.
As detailed above though, the move makes little sense.
