According to the latest reports from Turkish media outlet Fanatik, Rangers are close to signing former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel. The defender is currently out of contract and hasn’t been able to come to an agreement with Fenerbahce over a new deal.
It is believed that Gerrard has been particularly insistent on bringing the Slovakian to Ibrox, and now he could get his way in this window. We thought that once Rangers signed Filip Helander for a hefty fee, their interest in other centre backs would cool down, including Skrtel. It remains to be seen how reliable these reports from Turkey are.
Does Rangers need a defender?
Rangers have managed to bring in two new centre backs this summer after Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley left the club. George Edmundson has been signed from Oldham Atheltic, who is a young and upcoming defender. Then Rangers spent £3.5m to bring in Helander from Bologna. Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic are already at the club, and all four players are on a permanent deal. Bringing in a new defender in such a scenario doesn’t make much sense.
Moreover, Rangers have been quite far apart in meeting Skrtel’s wage demands. Last summer, Skrtel’s agent had said, ”Financially there is no chance of Martin going to Rangers. He couldn’t get half of his wages in Glasgow. It would be more like a third.”
Maybe Skrtel is ready to take a massive pay cut to play for Gerrard this summer, but Rangers shouldn’t be in a desperate need to bring in a new defender.
Would he be a good signing if the move goes through?
Skrtel is already 34, and he isn’t going to be around for long. Some fans might compare him to McAuley’s signing who didn’t provide much last season as he struggled with injuries. However, the Slovakian is still going strong, and he made 40 appearances for Fenerbahce last season.
The centre back has been known for his committed defending as he is always ready to throw his body on the line. He is aerially strong, and the physical aspect of his game is one of his biggest assets. Skrtel has the potential to hit the ground running straight away.
His experience will also be a big plus, and he can even contribute in the attacking half of the pitch during set-piece situations. The former Liverpool player will be a good addition, but we just don’t see Rangers going after him in this window.
