The deal is in question: the transfer of the leader of the Ukrainian FC “Karpaty” to Israel may fall through

The transfer of one of the key players of Lviv’s “Karpaty” to the Israeli championship is under threat. According to Ukrainian media, negotiations with the club from Haifa have encountered an alternative scenario that could change the balance of power in the market.

We are talking about the Brazilian attacking midfielder Bruninho, who is one of the leaders of FC Karpaty this season. Maccabi Haifa is showing interest in the player, but it seems that Haifa is also considering a backup option.

According to the source “TaToTake”, the Israeli club is seriously interested in the 22-year-old midfielder of the Chilean national team Lucas Assadi. His transfer value is estimated at approximately 3 million euros, and this option currently looks more pragmatic for “Maccabi”.

Against this backdrop, Bruninho’s winter transfer may not take place. However, Haifa is not yet ready to completely abandon the Brazilian — it is possible that the parties will still try to find a compromise on the terms of the deal.

Bruninho’s contract with the Lviv club is valid until the end of June 2030. He became a full-fledged player of the “green-whites” in July 2025, and since then has played 41 matches for the team, scoring 14 goals and providing 5 assists. For the club, which builds its game around his creativity, he is a key figure.

In the middle of the season, NAnews — News Ukraine – Israel | Nikk.Agency noted that the interest of Israeli clubs in UPL players is increasing in a limited market, but it does not always lead to a final contract signing. The situation around Bruninho is a clear confirmation of this trend.

At the same time, “Karpaty” risks losing not only the Brazilian. It was previously reported that another foreign player and team leader — Spaniard Pablo Alvarez — is close to transferring to Aktobe.

Interestingly, both players continue to be with “Karpaty” and are training with the team. The team, led by new head coach Fran Fernandez, is preparing in Spain for the second part of the 2025/26 season.

The winter off-season has already become a period of significant personnel changes for the Lviv club. The team has parted ways with Pavel Polegenko, Vladislav Klimenko, Igor Krasnopir, and Diego Palacios.

Thus, the possible disruption of Bruninho’s transfer to Israel becomes not just a private story for “Karpaty”, but part of a broader picture — balancing between retaining leaders and the need to update the squad in difficult financial and sporting conditions.