Levante UD has finalized two key moves on transfer deadline day this Tuesday, signing striker Petar Ratkov and selling midfielder Carlos Álvarez. The Granota club, sitting ninth in La Liga with 4 points, also comes off the back of a home thrashing of Real Betis.
Who is new signing Petar Ratkov?
Petar Ratkov is Levante's eleventh signing for the 2026-27 season, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The 23-year-old Serbian striker arrives on loan from Italy's SS Lazio until the end of the season, in a deal that includes an option to buy which would become mandatory if certain sporting objectives are met. Ratkov was developed at FK DIF Beograd and made his leap to European football from FK TSC Backa Topola.
His most notable spell was at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, where he played 99 games and scored 22 goals. With the Austrian club he made his European competition debut and scored the fastest goal in Austrian Bundesliga history, netting after just six seconds in a February 2024 match. A Serbian international, he made his senior debut in October 2023. At Lazio, his involvement was limited, with nine goalless appearances last campaign.
Where is Carlos Álvarez going?
Carlos Álvarez is leaving Levante to sign for Mexico's Club América in Liga MX. Cadena SER, cited by Record MX, reported on Tuesday that the transfer was in its final details, with an economic agreement already reached. The 23-year-old midfielder from Seville will sign a three-year contract, running until June 30, 2029.
The deal was closed for a fixed fee of six million euros, plus additional bonuses. Levante, aware the player could have negotiated as a free agent in four months, considered the sale profitable. Álvarez, a product of Sevilla's youth academy, joined Levante in 2023 and became an important piece, scoring 11 goals in 74 official matches. His final game in the Granota shirt was precisely the win over Betis.
How was the win over Real Betis?
Levante secured a resounding 5-2 victory over Real Betis on August 29 at the Ciutat de València. Roger Brugué was the star of the match, scoring two of the home side's five goals. Jon Ander Olasagasti also shone with a goal and an assist in a match where Luis Castro's team displayed its attacking power.
With this result, Levante adds its first win of the La Liga season, after a draw and a loss in the first two matchdays. The team has scored 5 goals and conceded 5, maintaining a zero goal difference. These figures complete the team's picture, which you can check on our stats page. The squad, now reinforced with Ratkov, now looks to consolidate itself in the middle of the standings.
What does Ratkov bring to Luis Castro's attack?
Petar Ratkov arrives to add a different physical profile to Levante's attack. Standing at 1.93 meters tall, the Serbian is a target man with the ability to pin opposing centre-backs and dominate aerial play. His arrival offers Luis Castro another option for a forward line that already includes players like Etta Eyong, Yanis Musuayi and Iván Romero.
The Portuguese manager is looking to increase the offensive potential of a squad aiming to stay in the top flight. Ratkov, young but with experience in the Champions League and Europa League, has room for growth and the club trusts he will become a reference point. His signing comes just before the next league fixture, an away trip to face Málaga on September 6. The Andalusian side currently sits 20th in the table.
