GNK Dinamo Zagreb has launched a last-minute move to bring back Luka Ivanušec. According to reports from Net.hr Sportski, the club is in advanced talks with Feyenoord for the transfer of the former midfielder before the summer transfer window closes.
The club currently sits in 3rd place in the HNL with 10 points from four games, recording three wins and one draw. Dinamo has scored 11 goals, conceded only three, and holds a positive goal difference of eight. You can follow the title race on our standings page, where Dinamo trails leaders NK Osijek by just two points.
Why is Ivanušec returning to Maksimir?
Luka Ivanušec left Dinamo in 2023, but a path for his return now appears open. The player recently returned to Feyenoord after a loan spell at Greek side PAOK, but reports indicate he is not in the Dutch club's serious plans. Ivanušec has expressed a desire to leave in order to play regularly, and talks over a contract termination are ongoing. For Dinamo, this would be a significant reinforcement given Ivanušec's numbers from his first stint. During four seasons in the blue shirt, from 2019 to 2023, he made 175 appearances, scored 37 goals, and provided 20 assists. He is also a regular for the Croatian national team, earning 22 caps so far.
How does he fit into the current squad?
The return of an experienced midfielder like Ivanušec would bring competition and creativity to the center of the park. Dinamo's manager would gain an additional option for offensive play, particularly important in the context of upcoming European challenges. The deadline for registering players for the UEFA Europa League is September 2 at 23:59, leaving the club very little time to finalize all details. Furthermore, the team is preparing for its next home match against HNK Gorica, scheduled for September 5th. Gorica is currently in 10th place in the table, and all details about upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
What other movements are happening in the transfer market?
Dinamo is active on multiple fronts as the transfer period concludes. Besides Ivanušec, the club has also been linked with former Hajduk Split player Iker Aleman. The arrival of goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski is considered almost certain, which would resolve the goalkeeping position. There was also interest in Esmir Bajraktarević, but it is now reported that player will likely move to Germany. These potential signings show the club's intent to strengthen its competitiveness both domestically and in Europe. The current squad can be viewed on the squad page.
What does this mean for the upcoming matches?
Successfully completing this transfer would immediately impact player availability for key matches in September. Dinamo has a chance to close the two-point gap to leaders Osijek in the domestic league, and the return of a familiar face like Ivanušec could provide additional momentum. The club will aim to use this opportunity to strengthen its league position and prepare for the European challenges ahead.
