Recently reports (Daily Record) had emerged that Steven Gerrard would make another approach to bring in his former Liverpool teammate Martin Skrtel to Ibrox. Rangers had tried their luck in the last two transfer window as well, but the Slovakian international’s wage was a big issue.
Now that the defender is going to be available on a free transfer, one might have thought that the Gers would have a chance to land him. However, reports from the Scottish Sun conveys that the Glaswegian giants have ruled out a move for the 34-year-old centre back.
The report doesn’t mention the reason (or reasons) why Rangers are not interested, but it could once again come down to the wages. 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.”
It was made clear as daylight that Skrtel was out of Rangers’ league and we don’t think the Gers can afford to pay him the wages which he was being offered at Fenerbahce. The Gers faithful might have hoped that Gerrard can influence the defender to join in the summer, but latest reports confirm that Rangers are not involved in bringing Skrtel to Ibrox.
Do Rangers need to add a defender?
Gerrard recently secured the signing of George Edmundson. However, Gerrard has himself expressed that his side needs to add one more centre back. After all, they are going to lose two defenders in the form of Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley.
Why could Skrtel be an ideal signing?
Rangers have two young and upcoming defenders in the form of Edmundson and Nikola Katic. Therefore the manager should look to add an experienced candidate next. Skrtel has plenty of experience playing at the topmost level, and he is still going strong as he made 40 appearances for the Turkish heavyweights last season.
The defender also played a crucial part in getting Fenerbahce to qualify from the Europa League group stages. Skrtel is strong and committed in his challenges and a reliable figure in the air as well. However, given the wage demands of Skrtel, we believe Gerrard is taking the right call.
Can Rangers push sign him?
Maybe it’s early on in the transfer window, and we think that Skrtel might want to wait and size up what kind of offers comes his way. If there aren’t any plausible offers coming his way then maybe Rangers can get lucky if Skrtel decides to take a pay cut and move to Glasgow. But as of now, the move has been ruled out.
