Arsenal Transfer News: Could Martin Skrtel Be An Arsenal Player Next Season, Or Will It Be Ashley Williams?

Mar 21, 2013 05:53 AM EDT
Danny Welbeck Manchester United Martin Skrtel Liverpool
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel looks to stop Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck in their English Premier League game, January 13"

 

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, with the Reds ready to offload their player for £11 million ($16.6 million).

Arsene Wenger is reportedly looking to bring in a new defender in the summer, following the underwhelming performances from his center-backs this season.

Ashley Williams of Swansea was thought to be the Arsenal manager's prime target, but now the North London side are reportedly keeping tabs on Skrtel as well.

The Slovakian international has seen him consigned to the bench frequently in the second part of the season, with Brendan Rodgers preferring to partner Jamie Carragher with Daniel Agger.

Rodgers is a huge admirer of Williams and is also looking to make a summer bid, and letting go of Skrtel to Arsenal might open the door for the Swansea man to join up at Anfield.

Skrtel was named Liverpool's player of the year last season, so there is little doubt that he can defend. The lack of form, however, will be a bit of a worry for Wenger, and it is highly unlikely that Arsenal will be willing to pay £11 million for a player who has been largely among the substitutes this season.

Arsenal are still in with a proper chance of making the Champions League next season, and Wenger might be able to tempt the likes of Williams to snub Liverpool over a move to the Emirates with the prospect of playing in Europe's elite competition.

Meanwhile, Santi Cazorla has thanked the fans for their support in his first season, with the Spaniard quickly becoming one of the supporters' favorites following his impressive performances.

"For any footballer, it's the most important thing, to make the people who support you happy and give back to them on the pitch," he told the club's official website.

"Ultimately, I want to do the job to the best of my ability and for them to enjoy watching Arsenal, that they're happy with my work. From the first minute I arrived, the support they've given me has been spectacular.

"I can't praise the fans highly enough and hope to give them a lot of success in the future, and that we can enjoy it all together.

"I think if there's anything that particularly marks the Premier League apart it's the stadiums, the atmosphere of the supporters, the respect for the players.

"Ultimately, it's quite different to Spain in terms of the times of matches, adapting to a different schedule, the excitement people here have for football, the kids.

"It's a spectacle and it's one of the things that has most surprised me and that I've most enjoyed."

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