7 Jul 2016

Deal Close: Liverpool agree transfer for 'aggressive' £75k-a-week captain. Boss confirmed transfer 'almost done' last week

It looks like Martin Skrtel's time at Anfield is finally coming to an end, and new reports suggest that a transfer will be completed in the coming days.

A statement today on Fenerbahce's website states:

"Fenerbahce have started talks with Martin Skrtel over a transfer from Liverpool".

ESPN further claims:

"A Liverpool source has told ESPN that a £5m fee has been agreed and that Skrtel has permission to speak to Fenerbahce".

This follows confirmation last week Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, who told AMK Spor:

"The transfers for Van der Wiel and Skrtel are almost done.”

Risible Nivea adverts aside, I'm a big fan of Skrtel and his full-blooded, passionate approach.

Like all centre-halves, Skrtel - who captains Slovakia - sometimes makes mistakes, but over his eight years at Anfield, the Slovakian's overall consistency is inarguable, and he has always been a fine servant (and ambassador) for the club.

Alas, with no European football, and a drastically reduced fixture schedule, the team simply cannot support four senior international centre-backs, and given his age, Skrtel is the obvious choice to make way.

On a related note: if the deal goes through, Skrtel will leave Liverpool having failed to break the one club record within his reach: Own goals. Skrtel is currently tied with Jamie Carragher on seven own goals. So near, yet so far :-D

Good luck, Martin!

^ Dec 2015: Described by Jan Molby as an 'aggressive' defender. Reportedly on £75k-a-week


0 Comments:

Post a Comment