Lazio’s summer transfer plans have been unexpectedly disrupted after Dinamo Moscow agreed a €15m deal, plus bonuses, for Serbian striker Petar Ratkov.
The Russian club made its approach without warning and, according to Tuttomercatoweb, secured Lazio’s agreement to the proposed package within a matter of hours. Ratkov must now decide whether to accept the offer from Moscow, with his choice set to determine the direction of Lazio’s attacking strategy.
The potential transfer would represent a dramatic change in circumstances for a player who only joined Lazio in January from Red Bull Salzburg. Ratkov had quickly become one of the most prominent examples of the club’s highly regarded “talent room” scouting operation, which focuses on identifying and developing promising players.
His recent form has further strengthened his position. The Serbia international has scored six goals in his past four friendly appearances under manager Gennaro Gattuso, making Dinamo Moscow’s bid particularly significant as Lazio assess whether to part with a striker who had appeared to be an important part of their plans.
The final decision lies with Ratkov, but Lazio are already preparing for the possibility that he will accept the Russian club’s offer. The Italian side have identified two potential replacements and are attempting to ensure they are not left without an attacking option late in the transfer window.
Their preferred target is Franjo Ivanovic, the Benfica forward born in 2003. Lazio would like to sign him on loan with an obligation to buy, although that arrangement is not currently available to them.
Benfica are only prepared to approve a permanent transfer at a price above Lazio’s financial limits. Unless the Portuguese club changes its position, Lazio may therefore have to abandon their preferred route and move for their alternative target.
That player is Andrea Pinamonti, for whom Lazio would formalise a €15m proposal if Benfica refuse to negotiate over Ivanovic’s proposed loan move.
Pinamonti is an Italy international and came through the Inter academy. He has established himself as a dependable goalscorer in Serie A and would give Gattuso a striker with experience of the Italian top flight.
Lazio’s next move depends first on Ratkov’s answer. If the Serbian forward agrees to join Dinamo Moscow, the Italian club will have to decide whether to pursue the more financially complicated deal for Ivanovic or instead commit €15m to Pinamonti.
For now, the offer puts Ratkov at the centre of Lazio’s summer business. His decision could trigger both a major sale and a reshaping of Gattuso’s attacking options before the new season.
