Levante UD has strengthened its forward line with the signing of Serbian striker Petar Ratkov on a paid loan from Lazio. The deal, confirmed on Tuesday, includes a purchase option valued at 14 million euros and comes as a direct response to the sale of Carlos Espí to Real Madrid.
The granota club, sitting ninth in La Liga with 4 points from three games, is seeking more firepower after scoring 5 and conceding 5 at the start of the season. The arrival of Ratkov, a 193-centimeter-tall, 23-year-old forward, aims to add goals to an attacking line that could see further departures with Carlos Álvarez and Etta Eyong potentially leaving. The signing comes as the team, with recent form reading WDL, prepares for its next match against Malaga on September 6th.
What does Petar Ratkov bring to Levante?
Petar Ratkov joins Levante UD from Lazio, the club that acquired him from Red Bull Salzburg last January for 13 million euros. The Serbian player, right-footed and capable of playing on the left wing, made 17 league appearances last season in Austria, scoring 9 goals. His profile as a tall striker with a presence in the box is what the sporting director was looking for to offset the departure of Carlos Espí.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, "the operation will cost around one million euros for the club from Ciutat, which had to pay that amount to secure the coveted loan." The outlet Superdeporte was the first to report the specific figures of the agreement. Ratkov thus becomes a bet to reinforce an attack that needs to maintain its level to ensure top-flight survival.
How does this signing affect Levante's transfer market?
Ratkov's arrival is a direct response to the sale of Carlos Espí to Real Madrid and the potential exit of other forwards. The club has executed a loan-with-option deal, a model that allows them to evaluate the player throughout the season without a massive initial outlay. The purchase option set at 14 million euros represents a capital gain for Lazio compared to the 13 they paid for him.
This market move also follows interest shown by Sevilla FC in the Serbian striker, which ultimately did not materialize into a signing. With Etta Eyong not regaining her best scoring form after participating in the last Africa Cup of Nations, the sporting management considered bringing in a new '9' a priority. Fans can follow the squad's evolution on our squad page.
What is the team's current sporting context?
Levante approaches the end of the transfer window from a mid-table position. With 4 points, the team is 5 points behind leaders Barcelona and needs to find more consistency. The goal difference, with 5 scored and 5 conceded, highlights the need to improve both in attack and defense to climb the standings.
The next test will be away against Malaga, bottom of the table with 0 points, in a match that could be key to correcting their course. The full season schedule is available in our fixtures section. Ratkov's incorporation aims to provide the necessary spark in an attack that must be more decisive to move away from the lower reaches. The Serbian forward signed his contract on September 1, 2026.
