Liverpool FC Transfer News: Besiktas Prepare £6M Martin Skrtel Bid

According to reports from the Press Association, Besiktas are ready to formalize their interest in Liverpool centre half Martin Skrtel and are preparing a £6M bid to bring the 31-year-old Slovakia captain to Turkey ahead of next season.

This follows on from earlier rumours of significant interest in the player from Turkey, along with quotes attributed to the player’s representatives stating that Skrtel was ready to move on from Liverpool following a season that saw injury and form drive him down the depth chart.

The situation seemed similar last summer, with reports linking Skrtel with a move amid suggestions he was no longer a nailed-on starter for Liverpool and contract negotiations at an impasse. Then, Skrtel chose to stay and fight, and for a time it looked his gamble would pay off.

Then, Jürgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers, Skrtel fell to an injury, and once healed could never find good enough form to unseat Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, or Kolo Toure from in front of him in the depth chart. Even midfielder Lucas Leiva at times was ahead of him.

Sakho’s future may be uncertain, and Toure is set to depart the club, but with the arrival of Joel Matip set for the coming weeks. Skrtel will remain at best third choice at Liverpool. Depending on Joe Gomez’ recovery from an ACL injury and Lucas’ status, he could be fourth or fifth.

All told, then—given his age, his wages, his position on the depth chart, and also his desire to still play regular football—a move seems in everybody’s best interest, and it would be difficult for Liverpool to turn down a £6M bid that takes him out of the country.