Liverpool Transfer News: Skrtel Open to Summer Move; Reds Make Bid for Porto Winger Atsu

May 27, 2013 04:04 AM EDT

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel admitted he could leave Anfield in the summer if he were to receive a good offer, while the Reds have bid for FC Porto winger Christian Atsu.

Skrtel only made four starts in the English Premier League in 2013, falling down the pecking order after Jamie Carragher's resurgence.

The fact that Carragher has now retired might help in the Slovakian international in getting his place back, but Liverpool have been linked with several central defenders in the transfer market, including Manchester City center-back Kolo Toure, who is out of contract.

Liverpool are also closely monitoring talented defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke as Brendan Rodgers identifies the man to fill the considerable boots of Carragher.

Skrtel, who only signed a new contract with Liverpool in 2012, said he would be open to a move away in the summer transfer window.

"I have not had any specific offers," Skrtel told Dennik Sport. "But if some should come and they interest me, I would probably ponder it seriously."

The 28-year-old said the final decision would be made by Liverpool, and he was in no means determined to leave the club.

"The club has the biggest say in this in any case, because they have the right for it with me being contracted," he added.

"Besides, I am not saying that I want to leave at any cost. I feel sorry for what happened in this season. But I have been here for five-and-a-half years and I have built a position here."

Meanwhile, the Reds have made the first move for Porto playmaker Atsu, offering £3 million ($4.5 million) for the 21-year-old, according to the Daily Mirror.

Porto might be forced to let go of Atsu with the Ghanaian international only having one year remaining on his contract.

Atsu recently admitted he is unlikely to sign a new deal with Porto, despite the Portuguese club's attempts to agree on a new contract over the past few months, adding he saw his future in the English Premier League.

"There are times when we have to think about following our dreams and this is the time to follow my dream," he said.

"Since I started playing football I have dreamt to play in the Premier League. I will be sad to leave Porto but if I leave I would want my future to be in England."

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