Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce have confirmed they have entered talks with Martin Skrtel, after agreeing a deal with Liverpool.
The Reds are reported to have accepted a £5.5 million bid from the Istanbul giants, with Skrtel’s involvement in the summer’s European Championship stalling a potential move.
But with Slovakia exiting in the last 16, Skrtel has travelled to Turkey to begin negotiations with Fenerbahce, as the club confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
It is unlikely that there will be any setback at this stage, with Skrtel seemingly set on leaving Merseyside after falling down the pecking order under new manager Jurgen Klopp.
Despite uncertainty over the future of Mamadou Sakho, Skrtel would still find himself behind Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez in the centre-back ranks.
Skrtel has spent the last eight-and-a-half years with Liverpool, following his move from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2008.
But with his performance levels dropping in recent seasons, this summer provides a sensible juncture to depart.
Having placed his Woolton property on the market towards the end of June, Skrtel looks poised to complete his move to Fenerbahce in the coming days, replacing Portugal international Bruno Alves.
With Fenerbahce able to offer Skrtel potential Champions League football in 2016/17, the Slovak will still be competing at a high level.
Few Liverpool supporters will bemoan the loss of the Reds’ No. 37, however, with Klopp moving in a more positive direction following the signing of Matip from Schalke.
Skrtel is likely to be followed out of the club by the likes of Christian Benteke, Jordon Ibe and Sergi Canos, with the trio all subject of bids already this summer.
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