Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is very keen on a reunion with Fenerbahce defender Martin Skrtel. The former Liverpool defender is one of the many names that Benitez is currently considering. The Spaniard guided the side to the Championship title last season and is trying to make the next season a memorable one.
The Magpies have been one of the most esteemed clubs in the Premier League and have entertained the supporters with their special brand of football but in recent years they have failed to carry forward the momentum.
After a horrific 2015/16 season, a large portion of the football lovers thought that it would be very difficult for the club to sustain their position. But to everyone’s surprise, the Toon dominated the Championship from the very first moment and they would like to carry on their form to the next season.
Fenerbahce are currently juggling with Financial Fairplay rules and it is getting very hard for them to afford Skrtel’s wage. By going against their will, they might be forced to sell their one of their most valuable assets.
Newcastle are currently very well stocked in the defensive department but Benitez still wants to beef up his defence with the addition of an accomplished player and Skrtel ticks all the boxes. The player is very powerful in the air, physically very strong and more importantly, he had an eight-year stint with Liverpool which makes him one of the most experienced guys around.
Skrtel was pretty regular for the Turkish side as he notched up 49 appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahce. The Reds sold him for a meagre £5m and Fenerbahce will be looking to net a decent profit on his sale.
Age could be a factor but usually, defenders get wiser and more useful with age and while he might not be a long-term investment, at least for the upcoming couple of seasons, Benitez’s defensive worries will be sorted if he does come to the St James Park.
The Magpies have secured the services of Christian Atsu from Chelsea permanently but since then they have been pretty quiet in the transfer market. Fenerbahce finished third in the Turkish League last season and would love to have the player for another year. But they are bound to sell some of their costliest wage bearers and Skrtel is one of them.
The ex-Real Madrid boss has gotten frustrated over Newcastle’s lack of intention in the transfer market and is ready to launch a scathing bid for the player.