Motor Lublin are considering a move for Iwan Żelizko, the 25-year-old midfielder from Lechia Gdańsk. The information about the Lublin club's interest was reported this week by Tomasz Włodarczyk from the Meczyki.pl portal, citing his own sources.
Lechia Gdańsk are said to be demanding a fee of around 5 million euros for their captain. Such a sum would be a record sale in the history of the Gdańsk club. The Ukrainian's contract runs until June 30, 2028, strengthening Lechia's bargaining position. Motor Lublin are currently just monitoring the situation, with the transaction considered difficult due to the high financial demands.
For Motor, who sit 13th in the Ekstraklasa table after five matches with 5 points, strengthening the midfield could be significant. The team has scored 6 and conceded 8 goals, trailing league leaders Legia Warszawa by 6 points. Their next test is a match against Widzew Łódź on December 12th, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
Who is Iwan Żelizko?
Iwan Żelizko is a Ukrainian midfielder who joined Lechia Gdańsk in 2023 from Latvian club Valmiera FC. He was previously associated with Karpaty Lviv and the Czech club MFK Karviná. Last season he was a key figure in Lechia's promotion to the Ekstraklasa, playing 33 matches in all competitions. During that time he scored 7 goals and provided 7 assists, showcasing his versatility.
In the current campaign, he started the season as team captain, playing in the first two matches. Later, however, he was left out of the matchday squad. Lechia coach Władysław Łupaszko commented on the situation, saying: "the team should feature players who want to stay at the club." He added that Żelizko's absence does not necessarily mean a definitive farewell, suggesting the club is open to transfer talks.
Who else is interested in the midfielder?
Besides Motor Lublin, other Polish clubs are also vying for Iwan Żelizko. Among them are Raków Częstochowa and Korona Kielce. Serious interest is also being shown by clubs from abroad. Reports point to teams from MLS, Belgium, and Turkey. Given the high valuation, a move abroad currently seems more likely.
Several parties are therefore interested in the Ukrainian, which could spark a real bidding war. Lechia Gdańsk, aware of the player's value, does not intend to let him go cheaply. For Motor Lublin, who after a poorer start to the season (record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses) are looking for ways to improve their play, signing such a player would be a major boost. The current team squad can be viewed on our squad page.
What does this fee mean for Motor Lublin?
The sum of 5 million euros is a serious financial challenge for most Ekstraklasa clubs, including Motor Lublin. Although the Lublin club shows ambition, such an expenditure would require a significant reorganization of the transfer budget. Lechia Gdańsk would demand a record fee for their player, which places the potential transfer in the realm of high risk.
Motor Lublin must therefore carefully consider every step. On one hand, they need quality reinforcements to improve their position in the table, which can be tracked on the league standings page. On the other hand, investing such a large amount in a single player must be an absolute hit. The decision of the club's management will show how real their aspirations are this season and to what extent they are willing to risk to fulfill them.
