Martin Skrtel: Liverpool defender continues to be linked with a move to Italy

Speculation linking the Slovakia international with a summer switch away from the Premier League has intensified ahead of the re-opening of the transfer window.

Serie A outfit Napoli are said to have been monitoring the centre-half for some time and are reportedly ready to make a move after appointing Rafa Benitez as their new coach.

Benitez took Skrtel to Anfield in 2008 and believes he would be a useful addition to his ranks in Italy.

No approach has been made as yet, but Skrtel's representative Karol Csonto is eager to meet with Liverpool officials to discuss their plans for the 28-year-old - who found first team football hard to come by during the second half of the 2012/13 campaign and publicly aired his disappointment at being frozen out.

Csonto told Radio Crc: "There has been no contact between the two clubs. Martin has a contract with Liverpool and it is important to honour that.

"Obviously Napoli know Martin well, but there cannot be any contact between us and them if they do not first reach an agreement with Liverpool.

"I will be in England next week to talk with Liverpool and define Martin's future."