Roberto Mancini considers the Liverpool man a cut-price alternative to Aleksandar Dragovic as the Slovakian’s contract ticks into its final year.
Roberto Mancini is considering Martin Skrtel as a possible addition to his defence this summer, to pair up with former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic.
The Anfield club without any reason waited until last week to offer the Slovakian an extension, but with the defender entering the final 12 months of his contract the Reds no longer hold all the aces.
Inter Milan boss Mancini is willing to take advantage of the stand-off, claim Gazzetta dello Sport, after being priced out of a move for Dynamo Kiev’s Aleksandar Dragovic.
Mancini has been looking to reinforce his defence and is looking at Skrtel as a possible partner for Nemanja Vidic, Mancini expects Skrtel to fit in perfectly alongside the former Manchester United man.
Skrtel, 30, is one of the longest-serving players at Liverpool having joined the club from Russian side FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and the club would like to keep him at Anfield. But sloppy handling of his renewal is only going to make it more difficult to tie the centre-back down to a new three-year deal.
With their talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard leaving the club this summer, Brendan Rodgers is desperate to keep the nucleus of his side together and recently convinced Jordan Henderson to put pen to paper. However, with Raheem Sterling’s future up in the air, Skrtel’s contract has become a priority.
Former Manager Rafa Benitez’s side Napoli also reportedly interested in the defender and are keeping tabs on the situation in Merseyside.Rafa bought Skrtel to Liverpool and it could be another option for the Slovakian, if he decides to end his time in Merseyside.