The Imps are being linked with a move for Ivan Varfolomeyev, a Ukrainian midfielder plying his trade in the Czech top-flight.
The 21-year-old has represented his country up to Under 21 level and, if reports are accurate, we could be looking at spending a significant six-figure sum on him. Operating as a holding midfielder, Varfolomeyev looks to be a potential Ethan Erhahaon replacement, and would be a welcome addition to the club.
JEDNÁNÍ: Záložník Ivan Varfolomejev (21) by mohl odejít do anglického klubu Lincoln City, který hraje League One 🏴 #prestupy
Jednání jsou v plném proudu, kluby řeší cenu.
Ta by se mohla vyšplhat po započtení bonusů na 800 tisíc eur (19,5 milionu korun) + vyšší procenta z… https://t.co/hSZb3YlJoo pic.twitter.com/qx2dzGccmH
— Fotbalové přestupy (@infotbal) August 12, 2025
He developed through the youth systems of SC Tavriya Simferopol, where he was coached by Andriy Cheremysin and Vitaliy Ponomaryov, before continuing his progression at Karpaty Lviv in his home country. In September 2020, Varfolomeyev joined Rukh Lviv, making his Ukrainian Premier League debut as a second-half substitute in a match against Shakhtar Donetsk on 21 February 2021. Within a couple of years, he was on the move again, this time to Slovan Liberec.
Controversial Move
That move was not without complications. He was coached by Vyacheslav Zakhovaylo, who had agency connections in Czechia, and recommended him for a trial at Slovan. At the time, Varfolomeyev still had several months left on his Rukh contract. With head coach Vitaliy Ponomaryov’s permission, he trained with Slovan’s B team. Once Slovan confirmed their interest, the two clubs discussed his contractual situation.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rukh’s squad dispersed and only a handful of players trained informally. Varfolomeyev and his family relocated to Prague, where he lived in a hotel supporting Ukrainian refugees. He says he immediately informed Ponomaryov of the move.
Rukh made no effort to recall him when football activities resumed. However, in the summer of 2023, the UAF Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled that his departure was unlawful and ordered him to pay $100,000 in compensation. Varfolomeyev did not attend the hearings himself, with Slovan, Zakhovaylo and legal representatives handling the case.
At the hearings, Ponomaryov and Dedyshyn accused him of leaving without informing the club, something Varfolomeyev disputes. He claims Ponomaryov had even suggested a move to Poland and was in daily contact with him at the time. The accusations, combined with critical media coverage in Ukraine, left him unsettled as he tried to adapt to life in a new country.
Slovan reassured him throughout the process and eventually paid €47,000 to Rukh in compensation. Despite the legal battle, he insists he holds no personal grudge against Ponomaryov and is focused on moving forward with his career in Czech football.
Technical Ability
Since then, his technical ability, composure in possession, and tactical awareness have seen him establish himself as a promising young talent, earning the move abroad to Slovan Liberec as he continues his professional career. He is valued at around €600,000 on the football website Transfermarkt, and would represent a significant leap forward in terms of the Imps’ paid recruitment.
Is it a viable rumour? I’m going to say there probably are legs in this. It is the sort of transfer that the club have discussed, looking abroad for the right players, and it comes a little too much out of leftfield for it to be fabrication. It;’s definitely something I’ll be watching closely over the coming days.