By Staff Writer

Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal to bring Martin Skrtel to the club from Zenit St Petersburg.

23 year old Skrtel is being lined up by Rafa Benetiz as a long term successor to Sami Hyypia.

The young Slovakian star has been tracked by Liverpool in recent weeks and a deal thought to be worth in the region of £3 million could be completed in the next 10 days.