Premier League is seeing numerous midtable clubs turning on the heat this summer as the giants delay in spreading their wings. After the likes of Bournemouth, Stoke City, Everton and more have already revealed their first signings, it is now South Wales club, Swansea City, who are in the news.
According to reports, the Swans are preparing a surprise move for former Liverpool centre-half Martin Skrtel. The Slovakian international has had a decent season with Turkish giants Fenerbahce, alongside top Premier League target Simon Kjaer, but couldn’t help the side finishing third in the league table.
However, with the Turkish side breaching the Financial Fair Play Regulations earlier, they would now have to part ways with some of their more consistent performers this summer. And Swansea City would exploit the most of their situation, hoping they get a cut-price deal. Swansea had a horrible season in the Premier League, to say the least as they managed to survive relegation on the second last week of the term.
Despite having some proven names in their back line in Federico Fernandez and Alfie Mawson, the South Wales conceded a whopping 70 goals in 36 games. A midseason managerial change also took some time to show its influence and Paul Clement managed to save the side by the skin of their teeth.
Skrtel was a regular in the Fenerbahce side last season playing 49 times in all competitions, and scoring three goals and registering two times. The 32-year-old still retains the aggression and vigour in his defensive approach and is tremendously dominant in the air, something which could come very handy for Swansea City.
In his eight years with Liverpool, the Slovakian international has scored 18 times for them and assisted six times, which include some crucial goals, especially from set-pieces. He made his move to Turkey only two summers back for a meagre £5 million and Swansea City could get him for cheaper, given Fenerbahce’s situation.
Swansea’s star defender Alfie Mawson is also reported to be moving away from Liberty Stadium with Tottenham Hotspur emerging as the favourites to land the young English centre-half. And Clement would find it difficult to hold onto the player if the North London side calling. Swansea have major plans to beef up their back line and former Real Madrid defender, Raul Albiol, is also on their target list.
Since debuting back in 2004, Skrtel has a staggering 88 caps for his nation, and with the next potentially his last World Cup, the towering enforcer is looking towards a very important season.
