Why Ex-Liverpool Defender Turned Down January Move To Barcelona
Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona failed in a winter move for ex-Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel according to his agent Mithat Halis.
Mithat Halis is a partner in the company that represents the former Reds centre back.
According to him, Barcelona wanted to sign the Slovakian international star as a backup option on the defensive front at the Nou Camp but that didn’t sit down well with his client.
The 34-year-old was not ready to leave the first team at struggling Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce for the bench at the Nou Camp.
Halis revealed that Barcelona representatives were at the international clash between Slovakia and Ukraine to run the rule over the former Liverpool defender.
Barcelona scouts were said to have been impressed with his leadership qualities only for the player to turn down the transfer.
The Spaniards have since moved on with the signing of highly rated Colombian international defender Jeison Murillo.
Martin Skrtel spent eight years at Liverpool between 2008 and 2016 with the player netting 16 goals in 242 appearances in the Premier League.
The Fenerbahce hardman signed for the Turkish club in 2016 and his contract is expected to run out this summer.
He has netted six times in 103 caps for the Slovakian national team.
