Serbian striker Petar Ratkov has been offered to Sevilla FC as an option to strengthen their forward line in the final days of the transfer window. According to a report from ABC Deportes on Tuesday, the Nervión club is considering a loan deal for the 23-year-old, who currently plays for Lazio but is not in manager Gennaro Gattuso's plans. Sevilla, who top La Liga with 6 points from two wins, are seeking a striker to complement Isaac Romero and Robbie Ure, their top scorer this season with one goal.
Who is Petar Ratkov?
Petar Ratkov is a 23-year-old Serbian centre-forward whom Lazio signed last winter for 13 million euros. His time at the Roman club has been quiet, with just eight official appearances and no goals. However, this preseason he showed his scoring potential by netting six goals in five preparation matches. His official debut this season was brief: 19 minutes in a Coppa Italia defeat to Mantova. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà described him as "Petar Ratkov, delantero de 23 años de la Lazio". Lazio president Claudio Lotito still believes in him, but manager Gattuso prefers other options like Boulaye Dia and Noslin.
Why does Sevilla need a striker?
Sevilla's sporting direction, led by José Ignacio Navarro, and manager Luis García Plaza have made signing a forward their top priority before the market closes. The team has scored five goals and conceded two in their first two league games, but they want to secure more depth in a key area. The club must also manage departures and reinforce other positions, including defence, midfield, and a replacement for Rubén Vargas. You can check the current squad on our squad page.
What other options is the club considering?
Ratkov is not the only name linked to Sevilla's attack. The club has been associated with several forwards, though some paths are now closed. Joselu, whose contract with Al-Gharafa ended, is a free agent but no agreement has been reached. David Romero signed for Parma. George Ilenikhena has a preliminary agreement, but Al-Ittihad's economic situation is blocking the deal. Marc Guiu could be loaned from Chelsea, but his salary presents a problem. Robbie Ure, who has already played for the first team, is a player the manager intends to keep.
What is the current state of the market?
The transfer market is entering its final phase and Sevilla must act quickly. The Ratkov option gains strength due to the player's willingness; he rejected an offer from Southampton, a club in the English Championship, worth around 10 million euros. The Serbian striker wants to continue his development after debuting for his national team and playing in European competition, and a loan spell in La Liga could be the ideal scenario. Sevilla's next fixture is a major test: they host Atlético Madrid, who are fourth in the table, on August 29th. The details of this and other matches are on our fixtures calendar.
Adding a striker like Ratkov would give Luis García Plaza more options to maintain the pace of a perfect league start. The team leads the standings with a perfect record and a +3 goal difference. Completing this signing would allow them to face a busy schedule with more security and the aim of staying at the top of the table.
