As Steven Gerrard took over at Rangers, reports of a link-up with former Liverpool teammate Martin Skrtel closely followed as the Slovakian star became an Ibrox target.
The Ibrox boss was tasked with bolstering a weak defence and the Slovak hero – who was turning out for Fenerbahce at the time – was signposted as a potential solution.
Rangers were first linked to the player in 2018 but a deal reportedly fell apart due to finances [Scottish Sun].
The club was then said to be resurrecting their interest in the centre-half last summer with the player himself even confirming that his representatives had held talks with Rangers [Daily Record].
But once again talks broke down and Skrtel first opted for a move to Serie A side Atalanta – an ill-fated spell which only lasted three weeks and broke down after disagreements over playing style.
Not that Atalanta missed the player – the Italian side managed to make the Champions League quarter-finals and finish third in Serie A last season.
After leaving the Italians Skrtel then move across Istanbul to Başakşehir and since then has been a revelation in Turkey.
The defender played 20 matches to help Istanbul Başakşehir to a historic first Super Lig title and played eight games for them in the Europa League.
This season, at the ripe old age of 35, Skrtel is still a key player for the team at home and abroad starting all four of the club’s Champions League group stage matches this season.
They might be bottom of a competitive group which contains Man United, PSG and RB Leipzig but Skrtel has played a key role in guiding them there.
What might’ve been had Rangers managed to snare the defender in either 2018 or 2019?
Not that it really matters for the Gers now – the Ibrox club have kept 17 clean sheets in 21 games this season as Steven Gerrard’s side start the campaign on electric form.
