Levante UD has entered the race for Serbian forward Petar Ratkov, competing directly with Sevilla FC for the Lazio player's signature. The news, reported by ABC Deportes, comes with just over four days remaining in the transfer window and with the Valencian club looking to strengthen their attack after a difficult start to the season, sitting 17th in La Liga with just one point from two games.
Who is Petar Ratkov and why does he want to leave?
Petar Ratkov is a 22-year-old Serbian striker who Lazio signed for 13 million euros in the previous winter transfer window. The player is now seeking an exit from the Italian club in this transfer period, a situation Lazio is open to facilitating. Ratkov has received offers from other European clubs, including French side Toulouse, indicating an active market for his services. His desire for more regular playing time appears to be the driving force behind this potential move.
How is Levante competing with Sevilla for the signing?
The competition for Ratkov is direct. Sevilla FC, according to journalist Matteo Moretto, would be willing to pay one million euros for a loan deal for the forward. Sevilla's sporting director, José Ignacio Navarro, and manager, Luis García Plaza, are seeking more attacking options as alternatives to Robbie Ure and Isaac Romero. However, Sevilla must wait to finalize the sale of Oso to generate a capital gain and is also monitoring the operation for Rubén Vargas, which would free up a significant salary. This complex financial situation could open a window of opportunity for Levante.
Which other forwards is Sevilla considering?
Sevilla's interest is not limited to Ratkov. The Andalusian club has also considered George Ilenikhena, a young attacker from Al-Ittihad. In fact, Sevilla had an agreement nearly closed with the Saudi club for a loan, but Al-Ittihad later altered the conditions, asking for an amount of money the Spanish side could not afford. This failure in an alternative operation partly explains the urgency with which Sevilla is now moving in the market.
What is Levante's current context?
The need for an offensive reinforcement for Levante is clear when analyzing the start of the 2026/27 season. The team has only one point after two matchdays, with a record of zero wins, one draw, and one loss. Their biggest problem is a lack of goals: they have scored none and conceded three, giving them a -3 goal difference. In the standings, Levante is five points behind leaders Barcelona. The next fixture is a key derby against Real Betis, fourth in the table, on August 29th at home, a match you can follow on our fixtures page.
Levante's entry into the race for Petar Ratkov adds an unexpected twist to the final days of the transfer window. With time running out and multiple clubs interested, the Granota sporting director must act quickly if he wants to give the manager a new attacking piece. The window's closure will end this story, as the team prepares for a fixture list you can check on our squad page that will define the course of their campaign.
