OPINION
One of the more surprising transfer stories to emerge on Monday is that former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been offered to Newcastle United by current club Fenerbahce.
According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Fenerbahce are keen to offload the veteran Slovakia international this summer due to his high wages, with Skrtel raking in £3.5million this season.
It is not quite clear why Fenerbahce have offered Skrtel to the Magpies, but the club’s interest in the 33-year-old last summer may have something to do with it.
While at first glance this may look to be a pointless move for the club, Skrtel would in fact be a brilliant addition at St. James’ Park this summer.
The 6ft 3in [Transfermarkt] veteran enforcer made 242 appearances in the Premier League during his time at Liverpool, and that is not experience that is found very often.
Newcastle are lacking senior players in the squad who have been there and done it at the top level, and they will need exactly that if they are to earn a European shot next season.
Skrtel is a no-nonsense defender who could easily slot into the Newcastle back line, and while he may not displace the current pairing of Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune, he would be a brilliant squad member.
His wages at Fenerbahce currently equate to around £67,000-a-week, and if he were to accept a slight pay cut then the Slovakian would represent good value for money for the club.
Fenerbahce are obviously keen to offload him and so a transfer fee would not be prohibitive, and a short-term deal would mean the risk is lowered for Newcastle.
His previous relationship with Rafa Benitez, with the Spaniard signing him for Liverpool, would also play a big factor, and bringing Skrtel in this summer looks to be a no-brainer for the Magpies.
