The Imps have been officially linked with Ukrainian Under-21 international Ivan Varfolomeyev in Czech media, and it seems to have taken a step closer to completion.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been linked with a club-record move to City this summer, and he was left out of his side’s 2-0 defeat against Sparta Prague this weekend, fuelling rumours of a move. Indeed, reports from the Czech Republic have now explicitly named us as the suitor hunting Varfolomeyev’s signature.
On the back of two home wins, the Imps look to be in a good place tactically, but desperately short on numbers, and replacing the crown jewels from last season has proven to be a big task. We’re currently down a left back, but after Erhahon and Makama’s departures, we’re also down a midfielder and someone on the front line.
Links to Francis Okoronkwo appear to be fairly solid, with the Everton youngster poised to join on loan, and now Varfolomeyev seems to have moved a step closer. In the aftermath of Liberec’s defeat, head coach Radoslav Kováč acknowledged his man could be on the move.
“A transfer is being arranged, so yes… It’s probably close,” he said at the press conference, as reported by Czech media outlet InFotbal.
The same outlet also says “As reported a few days ago by inFotbal.cz, Varfolomeiev is heading to English club Lincoln City. According to new reports, he is expected to undergo a medical examination soon. The North Bohemian club could earn up to 20 million Czech crowns including bonuses.”
The eyebrow-raising stat is going to be the fee. 20 million Czech crowns is worth around £700,000, which would seemingly be the price after add-ons. It’s believed any deal would start lower than that, but still break the club’s official record purchase, which was believed to be £325,000 for John Akinde.
Of course, at the moment it is all media speculation, but when our name appears in an official report across the water, it adds veracity to the rumours.
It looks set to be a big week or two at Sincil Bank, that’s for sure.