After deeming Liverpool’s first contract offer “unacceptable“, veteran Reds defender Martin Skrtel has done an about-face by snubbing the advances of Italian side Inter Milan and opting to sign on the dotted line — to apparently amended terms — when he returns to Melwood from holiday.
The Slovakian international, who earlier in the year brushed off the advances of German side Wolfsburg by reaffirming his commitment to the Anfield outfit, was entering the final year of his current deal. Liverpool, keen to retain his services, opened contract talks at the end of the year, but it’s rumoured that a “pay for play” clause was inserted in the terms. That, of course, didn’t sit well with Skrtel who, despite being 30-years old, remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
Now no one has done anything official quite yet, but the tune coming out of the players camp is much more amicable these days with his agent Karol Csonto confirming that his client will be staying on Merseyside for the long-term with a reported four year contract on the table. “I confess that there were not mere rumours, the interest from Inter was real. The deal did not go ahead, but there was contact made,” he explained. “The player had been thinking about his future and eventually opted to remain at Liverpool.”
Despite a poor finish to the Premier League season, a number of key players have chosen to commit their long-term futures to the club. Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Jordon Ibe and captain in waiting Jordan Henderson are just a few of the players that have thrown their considerable weight behind Liverpool’s future with Skrtel set to add his name to that growing list very shortly. Now, all boss Brendan Rodgers needs to do is sort out who will be playing alongside him next season…
