Since the end of the season it’s been an open secret that long serving Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will leave the club this summer. A social media faux-pas from the Slovakian international late last month confirmed that things between himself and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp were less than kosher, but the 31-year old is yet to finalize a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce despite all parties looking eager to move things along.
While there was interest from their SuperLiga rivals Besiktas as well as long time suitors Inter Milan when he first became available, the Yellow Canaries have seemingly won the race for his signature with their president confirming the deal would be wrapped up following Euro-2016. Easily swept aside in the Round of 16 at the hands of Germany, the Slovakian international will be watching the rest of the tournament from the sidelines while the rest of his contract is hammered out.
“Talks have been ongoing between Liverpool and Fenerbahce for the last two-three weeks and there are just a few details to sort out,” said his agent Karol Csonto, assuring all interested parties that the protracted move is nearing an end. “All I can say is that it looks promising.”
Having parted ways with defensive duo Ba and Bruno already this summer, Fenerbahce have been rejigging their back line in a bid to get back to the top of Turkish football. Having already recruited Schalke 04 midfielder Roman Neustadter and Paris St. Germain fullback Gregory van Der Wiel this summer, the Yellow Canaries have been quite active in the market, but they’re still expecting to bring in Skrtel to partner Danish international Simon Kjaer in the heart of their defense. While that’s expected to happen sooner rather than later, the move could be held up if Liverpool centreback Mamadou Sakho is handed an extended ban when he faces a UEFA panel later today over a failed drugs test. Although it’s unlikely that a guilty verdict would see the Reds reneg on their agreement to let the 31-year old leave, they may be forced to keep him around a little longer until suitable cover can be drafted in to the fold.
