Despite only having a year left on his current deal and rumours linking the 30-year-old stalwart with a summer move to Wolfsburg, Martin Skrtel says he will not be leaving Liverpool this summer.
"I am not leaving," was the tough defender’s simple, straightforward statement in reaction to recent rumours linking him with a move away this summer. "Not to Wolfsburg nor to Naples."
If he’s staying, then there’s still the small matter of his contract to sort out, but Skrtel’s agent has confirmed that they have been talking with the club about it and expect to sign an extension imminently.
"The only offer which is lying on Martin Skrtel’s table right now is the extension of his contract from Liverpool," said Karol Csonto. "We have been working on the details and will be finalising it soon."
Taken together, their statements should provide peace of mind to Liverpool fans—and for the club it means heading into next season with a settled centre back pairing of Skrtel and the resurgent Mamadou Sakho.
Given the need to strengthen elsewhere—at right back, in midfield, and in attack—that Liverpool at the very least won’t need to overhaul the entire defence in a few months is very good news.