Newcastle United could new owners by the time the 2019-20 Premier League season begins. The Magpies will have a bigger transfer kitty in the transfer window, and have already been linked with a host of players.
The latest player to be linked with a move to Newcastle is former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, according to Turkish outlet Fotospor.
Skrtel currently plays for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish league, having joined the side in 2016 after leaving Liverpool. The central defender’s contract with the Turkish club expires at the end of June, and the likes of Rangers, Parma, and Newcastle United are keen to add him to their ranks.
The report further states that Arsenal captain and central defender Laurent Koscielny, could replace Skrtel in the Fenerbahçe team.
Skrtel played in 9 seasons for Liverpool in the Premier League, making over 300 appearances for the Merseyside club and winning the League Cup once.
The Slovak has played in two seasons for Fenerbahçe, and made 40 appearances for the club in all competitions in the 2018-19 season.
Martin Skrtel – A good addition to the Newcastle United squad?
Skrtel played under current Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez, and was known for his no-nonsense defending.
The Slovak is an experienced centre-back, who can be aggressive with his tackling, and has shown in recent years that he is a leader at the back.
The 34-year old has vast Premier League experience, which will most certainly come in handy for Newcastle if they do sign him. While he may not possess the same pace he once had, he usually recovers well with his strong tackling and strength.
While Newcastle currently have several central defenders in their squad, none of them have the Premier League experience Skrtel possesses. He would work well in Benitez’s five-man defence, and playing alongside two other central defenders could possibly help in hiding his lack of pace in the Premier League.
A one-year contract for Skrtel with the option of another year could be a good deal for Newcastle United, as the central defender could add depth to the Magpies’ squad.
The signing of Skrtel could be a shrewd move by Benitez as he will get a solid player with Premier League experience on a free transfer, and will also add a strong character and leader to the dressing room in the process.
