Rafa Benitez makes his move to bring ex-Liverpool star to NUFC - Reports
Some intriguing reports have emerged from Turkey in the last few moments, claiming Newcastle officials have met with Fenerbahce to negotiate a deal for Martin Skrtel - the defender Rafa Benitez brought to Liverpool several years ago.
The story claims that Benitez is keen to be reunited with the no nonsense centre-back, with Newcastle representatives believed to jetted out to Istanbul to broker a deal for the 33-year-old.
Here's a snippet from Turkish outlet A Spor:
"The management will seek agreement with the English team because of the high salary of the 33-year-old stopper .
"English Premier League team’s manager Rafa Benitez wants Skrtel to join the squad. Managers of the British team have come to Istanbul this week to learn how to broker a deal with the Fenerbahce Administration.
"They want to get rid of him because of his high salary. Martin Skrtel has been criticised by fans for his last season’s football."
This isn't the first time we've been linked with a move for Skrtel, so there could be something in this (with Rafa no doubt looking to sign more defensive cover as Mbemba nears a move to Anderlecht). He'd also add some invaluable experience - something we sorely lack.
That being said, the fact he's 33 and could demand potentially big wages is a concern, however he will know Benitez as well as anyone and, for what it's worth, also plays in the same national team as Martin Dubravka.
Would you take him if he arrived as back-up to Lascelles and Lejeune?
