Manchester United turned down opportunity to sign World Cup star Dominik Livakovic in summer

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Manchester United turned down the opportunity to sign in-form Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in the summer, according to The Athletic.

The 27-year-old has been in inspiring form for the Vatreni as Zlatko Dalic’s side have made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup in back-to-back tournaments.

Croatia will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina for a spot in the World Cup final where they were beaten by France in Russia four-and-a-half years ago.

The Dinamo Zagreb stopper has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the tournament in Qatar.

The 39-time Croatia international has saved four penalties across Croatia’s back-to-back shootout wins in the Middle East.

He saved three spot kicks to eliminate Japan in the round of 16, before denying Rodrygo in Croatia’s shock shootout win against Brazil in the last-eight.

Manchester United turned down opportunity to sign World Cup star Dominik Livakovic in summer

According to The Athletic, Livakovic was available for a cut-price fee of between £4.3m-£8.6m, but Erik ten Hag opted against pursuing the Croat despite Dean Henderson joining newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on loan.

With the one-time England international moving to the City Ground to secure first team football after enduring a frustrating 2021-22 campaign, Ten Hag signed Martin Dubravka on a season-long loan from Newcastle United to provide cover to David de Gea.

As well as the Red Devils, Leicester City and Forest were two other Premier League sides who turned down the opportunity of signing Livakovic during the summer transfer window.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Livakovic is “expected to be a target for a number of top European teams next summer”.

And given that Livakovic’s contract expires in 2024 and that Dinamo Zagreb are usually willing to cash in on their emerging stars, his valuation is likely to sky rocket after a breakthrough World Cup.

While Ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United plan to activate David de Gea’s one-year contract extension to prevent him leaving on a free transfer in the summer, the twenty-time league champions are reportedly ‘working on a deal’ to sign Yann Sommer whose contract at Gladbach expires in June, as per ESPN.