Rangers-linked striker Petar Ratkov has been announced at Red Bull Salzburg in a blow to potential Champions League opponents FK TSC Backa Topola.
The 19-year-old striker has been announced at the Austrian champions after a stellar campaign in the Serbian SuperLiga which saw the towering 6ft4 hitman net 13 goals and help earn his side a legendary second place finish.
That has catapulted FC TSC into the Champions League qualifiers where they could meet Rangers but should the two clubs draw each other in QR3 the Serbs will be without Salzburg-bound Petar Ratkov.
Rangers had also been linked with a move for Ratkov earlier in the transfer window, the teenage striker’s goals seemingly piquing the interest of the Ibrox side.
But with the Gers moving on to other striker targets, a deal for the Serbian attacker never looked likely and now Petar Ratkov will be rocking up at RB Salzburg next season.
The Austrian outfit, who’re bankrolled by energy drinks giant Red Bull, are reportedly set to pay an initial €4.5m (£3.9m) to sign the forward, with another €500k (£425k) in add-ons and a 15% sell on clause [Mozzart].
Rangers to avoid Salzburg-bound Petar Ratkov in Champions League qualifiers
Rangers may well have different targets from the now Salzburg striker Petar Ratkov, with Sam Lammers already signed and Cyriel Dessers, Josh Maja and Tasos Douvikas all linked, but the move has considerably weakened FC TSC Backa Topola ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
Rangers can meet the SuperLiga runners up in the tournament’s qualification campaign and with the Serbs the pathway’s unknown entity, it’s not just the Gers eyeing a clash between the two clubs.
FC TSC president Janos Zemberi might’ve just sold Petar Ratkov to Salzburg, but he did describe Rangers as a “dream” Champions League draw, and for all the right reasons.
The Serbian club’s head honcho claims he has a deep respect for the Glasgow side born of former Ibrox star Gordon Petrie and that he’d love the opportunity for his team to play at Ibrox.
“If I could choose my dream opponents in the draw, it would be to play against Rangers,” said Zemberi.
“My good friend Gordan Petric used to play there and I like everything that Rangers stand for and the values they have.
“I am a fan of the club and Glasgow is a nice city.
“Rangers are stronger than Marseille, PSV Eindhoven or Braga, who we could also play.
“But with a few reinforcements and the motivation we have, I am confident we would have a chance.
“And let’s not forget Celtic have faltered many times at this stage of the competition, so who knows, maybe we can create a surprise.
“Look, we have a budget that’s ten times smaller than Red Star Belgrade and five times smaller than Partizan Belgrade, so we are used to playing teams with far greater budgets than us.
“So all our potential rivals will be bigger and have tradition and experience on their side. But we won’t give up against anyone.”
As Petar Ratkov moves to RB Salzburg, Rangers eyes are on who the club are targeting in the striker position amid reports of an imminent £7m bid being lodged elsewhere in Europe.
It’s a vital decision for the Gers to make too.
Whoever comes into the Ibrox side could be the difference between the club ensuring the guaranteed £13.5m in prize money from the group stages of Champions League football or a season in the Europa League.
