Lazio transfer news: Southampton eye Ratkov as Fiorentina could enter Icardi race
VERONA, ITALY - JANUARY 11: Petar Ratkov of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on January 11, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Lazio are working to offload Petar Ratkov this summer, with a third club now interested in the Serbian striker as his future at the club looks increasingly shaky.
According to Sky Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Dinamo Moscow and Southampton have both made contact over a permanent deal, and they’ve now been joined by Red Star Belgrade.
Ratkov had hoped to fight for his place under Gennaro Gattuso at Formello, but has come to accept the coach would rather bring in a different option up front, leaving him open to a move.
None of the three suitors have yet convinced the striker to commit, and Lazio are pushing to get a sale over the line so they can reinvest the proceeds elsewhere in the squad.
Fiorentina could rival Lazio for free agent Icardi
That search for a new forward extends beyond Ratkov’s exit, with Lazio’s other priority, free agent Mauro Icardi, now facing competition from an unexpected direction.
According to Il Messaggero, via FirenzeViola, Fiorentina are among the clubs monitoring the Argentine, who has been without a club since his Galatasaray contract expired, should they sell Moise Kean to Como.
Cesc Fabregas is pushing to land Kean, offering Champions League football and full trust in attack, and Fiorentina would need a like-for-like replacement if that departure goes through.
Lazio remain Icardi’s most consistent suitor and continue to view him as their priority target, with club president Claudio Lotito personally driving the pursuit in recent days.
Icardi, who left Galatasaray as a free agent, has been reluctant to commit while waiting to see if a bigger offer materialises before his career winds down, and Lazio will likely need to improve their proposal to convince him.
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