Dinamo prepares to offload several players as competition for places intensifies

Dinamo Zagreb has added three major reinforcements, but the arrivals have created a crowded dressing room and could push several established players toward the exit.

Goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski, midfielder Luka Ivanušec and winger Iker Almena have joined, or are about to join, the squad. Once they reach the required level of fitness, they are expected to compete for places in coach Mario Kovačević's starting eleven. That leaves some current starters facing reduced playing time.

The first-team squad currently includes 27 players. There are four goalkeepers, four central defenders, four fullbacks, seven midfielders, seven wingers and two forwards. Two injured forwards, Stojaković and Brumado, are also expected to join the first team in the winter.

The greatest congestion comes on the wings. Hoxha and Topić were close to leaving in the summer, when the club sought destinations acceptable to both the players and Dinamo. Hoxha is expected to remain behind Mislav Oršić in the long term, while PSG arrival Nsoki will add further competition and could make his Dinamo debut in upcoming matches. Almena can also play on the left wing, as can Ivanušec, who is arriving as a central midfielder but previously played in that position for Dinamo.

Dinamo is also expected to try to move goalkeeper Ivan Nevistić, who would again become a reserve behind new Croatia international goalkeeper Kotarski. Nevistić could bring in between 500,000 and 1 million euros, while that range is also considered realistic for Topić. Hoxha could generate a higher fee, although his non-EU citizenship makes a transfer more difficult. The club's need to find about 15 million euros to close its annual budget adds to the pressure to sell, while Kovačević is not expected to need a squad of 27 or 28 players.