Martin Skrtel Rejected A Move To Barcelona In January Transfer Window

In arguably the most bizarre transfer story you'll read this week, former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel decided to reject a move to Barcelona in the January transfer window.

I repeat, Martin Skrtel turned down a move to one of the biggest clubs in world football. Happy Tuesday.

Skrtel, who currently plys his trade at Turkish club Fenerbahce, didn't fancy a move to La Liga because "he did not want to be a substitute for Pique and Umtiti."

These are the quotes of Mithat Halis, a partner in the company that represents Martin Škrtel.

"Barcelona wanted to sign him [Škrtel] and were insisting on him because they needed a central defender that was a reliable alternative, but the player didn't agree because he did not want to be a substitute for Pique and Umtiti." he confirmed.

"I think he is a better centre-half than Clément Lenglet. On the other hand, Martin Škrtel is happy in Istanbul and has an important role to play in Fenerbahçe.

"He did not want to be third choice at Barcelona."

Halis went on to confirm that Barcelona reps attended an international game Skrtel was involved in.

"They [Barça reps] saw the player in the game between Slovakia and the Ukraine and appreciated again that Škrtel is the leader of his team.

"But Škrtel told us he wants to continue playing in Turkey."

EEEE

Back in 2017, the man himself turned into Barcelona's main man Lionel Messi, running past four defenders to score an absolute worldie from 30 yards.

Although the Turkish giants eventually lost to Konyaspor, Skrtel's effort was the main talking point in an entertaining 3-2 scoreline.

The Slovakian looked as surprised as we did when he bagged a goal to make it 1-1 in the 20th minute.

Liverpool fans will remember the moment Skrtel pretty much confirmed that he was leaving the club in an Instagram exchange with his friend where he referred to Jurgen Klopp as a d*ckhead.

According to Liverpool fan site Empire of the Kop the conversation translated like this:

"The first hashtag from poster pharrelski means "KloppIsAD*ckhead". #KloppJeKKT is short for KloppJeKokot. Kokot is slang for 'D*ickhead', or 'Dick'. (Essentially very insulting.)

Skrtel replies, claiming "Last hashtag is TOP", with a load of smiley faces included, before phrarreslki says: "Hope Jurgen won't see it."

Image: Instagram

What a bizarre story.

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Transfer, fenerbahce, Football, World Football, Turkish Football, Turkey, Transfer news

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_