The agent of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has played down talk of the centre back leaving the club for Napoli this summer.
Skrtel, 29, arrived at Anfield from Zenit St. Petersburg back in 2008 for £6.5m, and has established himself as a key member of the Liverpool defence during his time on Merseyside, making almost 250 appearances for the Reds after being brought to the club by Rafael Benitez.
The Slovakian international has been an integral part of Liverpool’s success this season and despite Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho all having spells in the first team, Skrtel has been the most consistent this term, and has also chipped in with six goals from defence.
Those impressive displays haven’t gone unnoticed though, and with Napoli looking to strengthen their defence this summer, the Serie A side reportedly shortlisted Skrtel as a potential target, with manager Benitez looking to reunite with the towering centre back.
But despite the speculation linking Skrtel with a move to play under Benitez once again, the player’s agent Karol Csonto has denied rumours of an impending exit for his client, suggesting that Skrtel will remain at Anfield for the foreseeable future rather than head to Italy at the end of the season.
“There is no chance of Skrtel going to Napoli,” he said. “His relationship with Rafa Benitez? There is nothing to add about this.
“What I can say is that Martin Skrtel will not go to Napoli. Skrtel will remain at Liverpool.”
The news will serve as a huge boost to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who has tried a number of combinations at centre back this season but has found a consistently excellent performer in Skrtel, and the Slovakian should be a crucial part of the Liverpool team moving forward.
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