Sevilla Hand Lazio Double Blow; Another LaLiga Club Leading Ratkov Race

Lazio striker Petar Ratkov is no longer joining Sevilla, but he could still end up in Spain, as Levante suddenly emerge as the favourites to recruit him.

The 22-year-old struggled for playing time under Maurizio Sarri following his arrival in Rome in January, and his situation hasn’t improved under Gennaro Gattuso, despite a positive pre-season. The Calabrian boss argued that the Serbian doesn’t suit his tactics, so he’s been keeping him on the bench in favour of Boulaye Dia. Following Andrea Pinamonti’s arrival, Ratkov has become surplus to requirements.

Over the past few days, Ratkov was heavily linked to Sevilla, much to Lazio’s delight. The Biancocelesti were reportedly hoping to send the unwanted striker to the Andalusian club and then use the funds to further strengthen their attack by launching an onslaught for Conrad Harder, a 22-year-old Danish centre-forward who is expected to leave RB Leipzig before the end of the summer.

But according to multiple sources, including Spanish journalist Gonzalo Tortosa and Italian transfer market expert Matteo Moretto, Sevilla have decided to snub Ratkov in favour of pursuing Harder themselves.

Petar Ratkov (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

This would be a double blow for Lazio, who risk missing out on the opportunity to offload Ratkov and sign Harder in one fell swoop. But the good news for the Italian capital club is that the Serbian still has other suitors.

According to Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina, Levante have now taken the lead in the race for Ratkov. The LaLiga side is now considered the striker’s most likely destination, ahead of Sevilla and Toulouse.

The former RB Salzburg cost Lazio €13 million just over seven months ago, so a similar figure will be required to move him out of Formello. The attacker has yet to score for the Aquile in a competitive fixture.