Liverpool Transfer News: Martin Skrtel To Man City For £20 Million?
Liverpool's new boss Brendan Rodgers faces a huge battle to keep defender Martin Skrtel at Anfield after he has become the subject of interest from Manchester City.
The Mirror reports that City boss Roberto Mancini is plotting a £20 million move for Skrtel, who has emerged as one of his serious summer targets to boost what he believes is the weakest part of his squad. City just got priced out of a move for AC Milan star Thiago Silva and have instead turned attention to Skrtel, who was Liverpool's Player of the Season in the 2011/12 campaign. Rodgers is so desperate to keep his star defender that he is hoping to meet Skrtel in the near future to convince him to stay on Merseyside. Halting potential talks are Skirtel's wedding last weekend and the fact he is now on a two week honeymoon and has told Rodgers he is putting thoughts on his future on hold until he gets back. One defender that looks likely to stay at Anfield for another season is Denmark's Euro 2012 centre-half Daniel Agger who has expressed his loyalty to Liverpool. However the future of Alberto Aquilani looks less certain for Liverpool after failing to agree terms on his release. The Italian midfielder wanted to be released from his contract to return to Italy on a free transfer (he has spent the last two seasons on loan at Roma and AC Milan respectively) and leave with a pay-off settlement but the Reds declined the deal. Rodgers and the Liverpool board do want rid of Aquilani who cost £17 million a few seasons ago after being a huge flop at Anfield where he is on £80,000 per week wages.