Karpaty Lviv Have Firm Desire To Sign This Sunderland Outcast: Why Regis Le Bris Should Let Him Leave? | OneFootball

Reports from Ukrainian outlet Sportyvka say that FC Karpaty Lviv are making a serious push for Sunderland outcast Nazariy Rusyn this winter. The 27-year-old forward has had a miserable time since Sunderland bought him from Zorya Luhansk in September 2023. This new interest gives him a real way out.

Sunderland Flop Nazariy Rusyn Set for Exit as Ukrainian Club Circles

Rusyn arrived on Wearside with high expectations. However, he struggled right away with the physical side of the Championship. The Ukrainian striker scored just two goals and got one assist in 22 games during his first season at the Stadium of Light.

Things got even worse in his second year. He failed to score a single goal or assist in 10 matches. As a result, the club sent him on loan to Hajduk Split in January 2025. The Croatian side didn’t want to pay the €2m to keep him after he failed to impress.

Sunderland sent him out again in September. This time, he joined the Polish side, Arka Gdynia. However, the Ukraine international is still struggling to score. He has managed just one goal in over 700 minutes of football across 13 matches.

Régis Le Bris has made it clear that Rusyn isn’t in his long-term plans. Karpaty Lviv want to get the deal done. To make it happen, Sunderland have to bring the striker back from his loan in Poland first.

Why Le Bris Must Let Him Go Now?

HEBBURN, ENGLAND – JULY 12: Nazariy Rusyn of Sunderland looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Gateshead and Sunderland at Hebburn Sports & Social Ground on July 12, 2025 in Hebburn, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Sunderland’s bosses should jump at this chance. They need to get rid of a player who just hasn’t worked out. The recruitment team took a gamble on Rusyn in 2023. Sadly, the numbers now prove the move was a mistake. Rusyn is 27 now. His value drops every time he goes on loan and fails to score.

Régis Le Bris is leaning on more energetic players like Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey. That leaves Rusyn with no role at the club. Keeping him on the books is just wasting wages. The player can’t even get into the team in Poland.

So he has no chance in the Premier League. Moreover, the paperwork to bring him back from Arka Gdynia is a tiny problem compared to the benefit of getting his salary off the bill. The leaders at the Stadium of Light usually focus on young players they can develop or sell for a profit.

Rusyn doesn’t fit that mould at all. If Karpaty Lviv have the cash for a permanent move, Sunderland have to make a swift decision. They should end the Polish loan right now. They need to take whatever fair price they can get to end this mess. Sunderland would be crazy to hold out for more money. Getting any of their original cash back is a win at this point.