Sevilla FC has missed out on target Conrad Harder and is now pursuing Serbian forward Petar Ratkov to complete its transfer business. According to a report by ABC Deportes on Friday, the 21-year-old Danish striker, owned by RB Leipzig, has reportedly chosen to join French side Strasbourg instead.
The team managed by Luis García Plaza, fifth in La Liga with 6 points from two wins and a loss, needs an attacking boost before the window closes. Having scored six goals and conceded five, there is clear room for improvement up front, especially as they sit just one point behind leaders Atlético Madrid. Their next test is away at Espanyol on September 6th.
Why did Sevilla lose out on Harder?
Conrad Harder had become one of the options considered by Sevilla's sporting directorate to strengthen the attack. The young Dane, who signed for RB Leipzig in September 2025, was seeking playing time following Marc Guiu's arrival at the German club. However, Strasbourg, which had already taken winger Oso from Sevilla for ten million euros last Friday, emerged as the protagonist again by convincing the player.
Harder's decision forces Sevilla to change plans at the last minute. The club needs a forward who can bring freshness and competition to the final third, an area where details can be checked on the team's stats page. The Ratkov option thus gains full momentum.
Who is Petar Ratkov and how would he arrive?
Petar Ratkov is the name gaining prominence at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The Serbian striker, who would play under Luis García Plaza, would arrive on a loan deal, according to available information. It would be a loan operation, a formula the club is using to cover an immediate need without a major financial outlay.
His addition would aim to provide a different profile to the attack, offering the manager more tactical options. Sevilla, whose current squad can be reviewed on the squad page, is looking for a player who can adapt quickly and help maintain the positive early-season rhythm.
What does this twist mean for deadline day?
Strasbourg has become an unexpected player in the final hours of the market for Sevilla. First with the departure of Oso and now with the 'win' in the race for Harder. This move highlights the fierce competition for young talents, especially in the last week of negotiations.
For Sevilla, time is running out. The transfer deadline is just around the corner and the club needs to finalise an operation that bolsters its forward line. The Ratkov option now appears as the most viable and advanced. Failure to secure this target would leave the team with the same attacking options for a long season.
How does this affect Sevilla's season start?
The team starts from a solid position in the table, but with room for improvement. Being one point off the top after three matchdays is a good starting point, but consistency over the campaign will require more squad depth. Ratkov's potential arrival would give Luis García Plaza more alternatives to rotate and handle fixture congestion.
The next fixture away at Espanyol, tenth in the table, will be the first test after the window closes. An attacking reinforcement in time could be key to maintaining the positive momentum. Fans can follow the league table on our standings page. The immediate goal is to consolidate a position near the top and not lose touch with the leaders.
