According to the latest reports from the Turkish media outlet Fanatik, Steven Gerrard has still not given up on signing former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel. The Slovakian powerhouse was even linked (Daily Record) with a move in the summer of 2018, but his wages were known to be a big obstacle. However, now the defender is in the final year of his contract, and the Gers would have a chance to bring him for free next summer. This would then allow Rangers to afford his wages as they would be saving up on the transfer fee.
The reports add that Gerrard is trying to convince his ‘close friend’ to come to Ibrox by next season. His agent had earlier remarked that Skrtel would consider it an honour to play (Profutbal) under his former captain, but he also went on to say that in terms of finances, both of the parties were far apart.
However, that could change next summer, and Gerrard definitely seems to be trying everything in his means to get the Fenerbahce defender to Glasgow by next season.
The 34-year-old is a classic no-nonsense centre-half, and he would put everything on the line as a defender. He spent the best part of his playing days with Liverpool as he was with the Reds for almost eight years. Gerrard seems to hold the key to this deal as it is his pull that is even attracting a player of Skrtel’s calibre to Ibrox.
Even at this age, the Slovakian is a regular for the Turkish giants and has played 24 games in all competitions including five appearances in the Europa League where they made it out of their group and are set to face Zenit St. Petersburg in the next round.
Rangers have four decent centre-halves in the form of Nikola Katic, Gareth McAuley, Joe Worrall and Connor Goldson. Out of the lot, two are likely to leave at the end of the season as Worrall and McAuley are on a short term deal. Therefore the Bears will need defenders by next summer.
Getting a deal done for Skrtel would be a massive boost for Gerrard and Co. The defender should thrive well in the Premiership given the physical style of football, and the Slovakian is always up for something like that.
Now that there is a chance that the transfer fee is out of the picture, the club can use that money to afford Skrtel’s wages, and it would be interesting to see what transpires in the next few days. But this is definitely positive news from the Gers’ point of view.
