Petar Ratkov has left Lazio just eight months following his arrival, as he joins Levante on an initial loan deal.
Petar Ratkov Endured Torrid Time at Lazio
The Biancocelesti bought the 23-year-old from RB Salzburg in January after selling Taty Castellanos to West Ham United. However, the Serbian was never given a proper chance to prove his worth, as Maurizio Sarri made a statement to the management by keeping him on the bench after claiming he had never heard of him before, and this situation didn’t improve under Gennaro Gattuso.
The current Lazio manager made it clear he has nothing personal against Ratkov, but the latter’s characteristics as a classic No.9 simply don’t suit his system, as he prefers to field a more mobile striker.
Lazio Confirm Ratkov to Levante
After resisting offers from Dynamo Moscow and Southampton, Ratkov eventually opened up to a move, especially following Andrea Pinamonti’s arrival. While he was open to joining Sevilla, Levante were able to beat their compatriots and finalise the striker’s transfer just before Tuesday’s deadline. Lazio have now announced the deal with a note published on the club’s official website.
SS Lazio announces the temporary transfer with an obligation to buy, subject to the fulfilment of specific sporting conditions, of the footballer Petar Ratkov to the Spanish club Levante UD.
The Formula & Figures
While this might be a temporary formula, the structure suggests the two clubs have the intention to make it a permanent transfer next summer. Previous sources claimed the LaLiga club is expected to pay €1 million in loan fees plus €14 million for the purchase.
Ratkov’s Lazio Numbers
Ratkov was Lazio’s most prolific player in pre-season, but he leaves the Italian capital club with just nine competitive appearances and no official goals to his name.
He becomes the second Biancocelesti striker to depart on deadline day, as Boulaye Dia had signed for Stade Rennais on a similar formula. On the other hand, the club recruited Albert Gudmundsson on loan with an option to buy from Fiorentina.
Still think he could’ve done his thing. Lazio still has only one pure striker, Noslin and Guđmundsson can be used. But if Pinamonti gets injured, there’s a lot less tactical possibilities.
I’m hoping Frattesi, Zaccagni, and Isaksen can produce goals this year. Pinamonti is good for 9 or 10 but I doubt much more than that.
Finally good job from Fabiani and Lotito to get rid of useless Ratkov and Dia. They could not score. Now we have bring in Pinamonti, Frattesi and Gudmunsson who all can score goals.
Dia is absolute crap and good to see him go, Ratkov we don’t know, but if he doesn’t fit in Gattuso’s tactics, then it is what it is
Well remember that both Dia and Ratkov are just loaned with OPTION to buy. I cannot see those clubs will buy them at the end of the season. So they will be most likely back.
… update, Rennes will be obliged to buy Dia if they won’t be relegated (which is probable) and Levante will be obliged to buy Ratkov if he scores 10+ goals (we’ll see, but I doubt).