Lincoln City are closing on a deal for Slovan Liberec midfielder Ivan Varfolomeyev, according to multiple reports in the Czech and Ukrainian press.
The 21-year-old Ukrainian youth international is understood to be the subject of advanced talks, with Liberec officials and representatives from Lincoln holding discussions in recent days.
Varfolomeyev, who joined Liberec from Rukh Lviv in the summer of 2022, has developed into a key performer in the Czech top flight and for Ukraine’s age-group sides. Local outlet inFotbal reports that negotiations have begun over a permanent transfer to League One, with Lincoln seeking to add a versatile holding midfielder before the window closes.
Liberec are said to be prepared to sell at the right price, in part because the player is entering a pivotal stage of his development and the English move offers a clear pathway.
Fee and Negotiations
Figures reported vary by source, but the consensus points to a structured deal. Several aggregation sites cite an initial fee of around €600,000 (£500,000) with add-ons, while Czech reporting suggests the package could rise towards €800,000 (£690,000) once bonuses are included, alongside a sell-on clause. Liberec’s position is strengthened by Varfolomeyev’s contract length, which was extended to 2028 earlier this year, but the club appear open to a sale given the scale of interest and the potential return.
Liberec head coach Radoslav Kováč acknowledged after the 0–2 defeat to Sparta Praha that a transfer is being arranged and that a move is close, an admission that underlines the momentum behind the talks.
“A transfer is being arranged, so yes… It’s probably close,” he said at the press conference.
For Lincoln, the prospective signing would add a progressive passer who is comfortable screening the back line, breaking play up and moving the ball quickly through midfield phases.
Profile and Fit at Lincoln
At 1.80m, Varfolomeyev combines mobility with tidy distribution and the capacity to step into pressure, traits that would complement Michael Skubala’s preference for front-foot football. He has accrued significant senior experience in the Fortuna Liga since 2022, with performances marked by positional intelligence and an ability to knit play rather than chase high headline numbers.
The Imps have leaned into technical balance in midfield over the past 12 months, and a player of his profile would increase options either as a single pivot or as part of a double pivot, depending on the opponent.
Writer’s View
If completed on the terms indicated, this would be a smart, system-first signing. Varfolomeyev offers control and tempo rather than pure highlights, the sort of midfield profile that often translates well from the Czech league to England’s third tier.
The fee structure appears sensible for a 21-year-old with years on his deal, and the upside is obvious if he adapts quickly to the physical rhythm of League One. For Lincoln, it reads like a calculated upgrade that could raise the team’s floor in and out of possession.
