Skrtel close to Fener switch as old Prem favourite nears exit

Zach Holland
Martin Skrtel: On the verge of joining Fenerbache.

Martin Skrtel: On the verge of joining Fenerbache.

Martin Skrtel’s reported £5.5million move from Liverpool to Fenerbahce is close to being concluded – but it’s unlikely he’ll become team-mates with one of his long-term adversaries.

Skrtel’s agent confirmed last week that the player was considering offers from Turkey, Germany and lucrative offer from an unnamed club in the Chinese Super League.

The Slovakian captain is now though said to be on the verge of a completing a transfer to Fenerbahce along with PSG’s Gregory Van Der Weil, according to the Turkish giant’s president, Aziz Yildirim, who expects the deal to go through later this week.

Speaking to AMK Spor, Yildirim said: “Van der Wiel and Slovak Skrtel transfers are almost done.”

The centre-back signed for Liverpool back in 2008 for fee of around £6.5millon from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.

In an eight-year spell with the Merseyside club, the 31-year-old has gone to make a total of 242 appearances for the club, while chipping in with 16 goals.

Skrtel, however, only won one major honour during his time at Anfield, with the 2012 capture of the League Cup. In the same year the defender was also crowned the club’s Player of the Year.

Robin van Persie: Linked with move to Chelsea

It is unlikely that Skrtel will line up with former Premier League players, Nani and Robin van Persie, as both look to be set for transfers away this summer, with the latter said to have grown frustrated with being constantly substituted, despite scoring 16 goals in 31 appearances for the club.

Yilidirim also confirmed that the club were open to potential bids for the striker, saying: “Van Persie, we’re waiting for buyers, if he wants to be sold.”

Nani, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to both Everton and Liverpool.