According to the Sunday Post, Steven Gerrard is ready to accept defeat in Rangers pursuit of Martin Skrtel, with the experienced centre-back ‘poised’ to sign for Newcastle instead.
After his appointment at Ibrox, it’s been reported that Steven Gerrard has been pushing to get his former Liverpool team-mate to join him in Scotland, however it sounds like they’ve accepted defeat.
Why? Well we’ve apparently beaten them to it according to the Sunday Post – who claim that Benitez has won the race to sign the Slovakian he brought to Anfield way back in 2008:
“Gerrard has already shown his willingness to consider former team-mates through the early approach to Martin Skrtel.
“Having played alongside the Slovakian defender for eight years, he saw him as being exactly the kind of experienced player he wanted to build the team around.
“Finances proved a problem in the pursuit of the 33-year-old, with his current club Fenerbahce able to offer in excess of any package Rangers could put together.
“And last night, former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, now in charge of Newcastle United, was poised to end any remaining hopes they had of bringing him to Scotland.
“It has been reported the North East club’s representatives were flying to Turkey under orders to strike a deal for his signature.
“Benitez has a previous relationship with Skrtel, having signed him for Liverpool from Zenit St Petersburg in 2008.”
It remains to be seen as to whether this is true or not, however this is not the first time we’ve been linked with Skrtel since Rafa took over – made even more intriguing after Turkish reports claimed we were in talks with Fenerbahce just a few days.
The fact Mbemba is edging closer to a move away also adds fuel to the fire. Is Skrtel his replacement?
We shall see what comes of this, but it could make sense.
He may be getting on and past his best, but he would add some much needed experience to our squad (242 appearances in the Premier League), his transfer fee would be next to nothing (although wages likely to be decent) and he’s a player Rafa knows very well – as well as him playing in the same national side as Dubravka).
Thoughts?
I’m confused – who is actually doing the “poising” here.
Is it Skrtel or Newcastle?
If it’s Skrtel we need to be quick. At his age he’s liable to fall asleep while “poising”.
Too old and too slow for the prem now.
Rob Brown(Quote)