TSC president Janos Zemberi has indicated that Petar Ratkov may be sold this summer but Rangers will have to pay around £1.7 million for the Serbian striker, speaking to Alo.
With Alfredo Morelos’ future uncertain and with injuries taking their toll on Kemar Roofe, Gers boss Mick Beale is making no secret of his desire to bring a new number nine to Ibrox.
But he doesn’t just want any old striker. Beale wants one who would bring something ‘different’ to his squad. So, enter Ratkov; a 6ft 4ins beanpole of a frontman who models his game on Robert Lewandowski and prides himself upon his physicality.
Rangers haven’t really had an old-school, centre-back bruising targetman for a while. And while Ratkov is not exactly prolific – seven goals in 26 games this term – there is more than enough for Beale to work with, the Serbia U19 international yet to even scratch the surface of his potential.
Rangers like Serbian striker Petar Ratkov
Zemberi, the president of Serbian outfit TSC Backa Topola, is open about his club’s buy-low, sell-high policy. Finding, developing and then cashing in on young players like Ratkov underpins their ambitions, with Zemberi now hoping to rake in around £2 million for his teenage targetman.
“In this job, you have to be cool-headed, believe in yourself, in your players and be patient. That is the most important quality in football; patience towards players, towards sales,” explains Zemberi.
“We had three offers for Ratkov. They were written offers. Anderlecht offered 1.4 million euros and we immediately rejected that. Then Parma called and offered 1.7 euros plus bonuses, with which it would already be over two million. We still haven’t responded to the last offer.
“New York City offered over two million dollars (£1.7m) .”
Rangers have reportedly joined the race for Ratkov’s highly sought-after signature; the player himself admitting that he is flattered to have picked up so many admirers.
“Ratkov is playing well,” Zemberi adds. “We are waiting for the summer transfer window because we believe that his price will increase further. Again, I come back to patience. You have to wait.
“Another player should be signed in his place. We must have projects like Petar. If you’re only chasing results, then young players won’t have the patience, and we wouldn’t be able to make money either.”
