Dinamo aims to bring back Šunjić – strengthening the midfield this summer

GNK Dinamo Zagreb is considering the return of former midfielder Ivan Šunjić, a 29‑year‑old Bosnia and Herzegovina international currently playing for Cypriot side Pafos. The club sees him as a quality solution to bolster the centre of the pitch and an alternative to Josip Mišić. Currently Dinamo sits first in the HNL with 86 points, 27 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses, and the last five matches are DWWWW.

Why is Šunjić important for Dinamo?

Šunjić logged 44 appearances for Dinamo and is known for his stability as a defensive midfielder. His experience from the World Cup, where he featured in all four Bosnia and Herzegovina games, adds quality and tactical flexibility. His presence would create healthy competition in midfield, allowing Dinamo to rotate players without losing balance.

How could Samy Mmaea's departure facilitate the transfer?

Moroccan centre‑back Samy Mmaea, also 29, failed to meet expectations at Dinamo and spent last season on loan at Azerbaijani club Qarabağ, where he also struggled to break through. The club is weighing a possible move back to Pafos, which could speed up talks on Šunjić’s return since Dinamo would not have to untangle complex buy‑out clauses. If Mmaea leaves, Dinamo frees up wages and squad space for new signings.

What does this mean for the summer transfer window?

The summer window opens up further opportunities, and Dinamo has already signed Mislav Oršić, Stjepan Radeljić and Dani Rodríguez. Bringing Šunjić back and letting Mmaea go could bring balance to both midfield and defence, crucial for maintaining an 18‑point lead over HNK Hajduk Split. The club also wants to keep goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, and added depth in midfield provides security against injuries.

What are the next steps?

Dinamo’s board will likely arrange talks with Pafos and Šunjić’s agent in the coming weeks. If an agreement is reached, the player could sign by the end of July, allowing him to join pre‑season preparations. Meanwhile, Dinamo continues to monitor the market for further reinforcements that would cement their dominance in the HNL, where they have already scored 93 goals and conceded 28, boasting a +65 goal difference.