Juventus Plan Summer Swoop For Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel

Juventus have singled out Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel as the man to shore up their defence next season, according to the News of the World.

The struggling Serie A giants are looking to freshen up their rearguard, with Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro now in his autumn years and star stopper Giorgio Chiellini tipped for a big-money transfer.

And with her eyes still lingering on Anfield after her pursuit of Reds manager Rafael Benitez, it is claimed that the Old Lady will put up £8 million for Skrtel in the summer.

The Slovakian defender's stocks have fallen somewhat this season, as Daniel Agger and even Sotirios Kyrgiakos have pushed ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, Juve reportedly see the former Zenit St. Petersburg hardman as exactly the type of player they need to add some much-needed grunt and grit to their back line.

Skrtel has made 74 appearances in all competitions during his three seasons at Liverpool, netting one goal.