Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel is edging closer to an Anfield exit with Turkey the likeliest destination after newly promoted Middlesbrough rejected the chance to sign him, according to The Northern Echo.
Middlesbrough were reportedly offered the chance to sign the 31-year-old this summer but they have rejected the chance to take him to the Riverside with Super Lig side Besiktas now in line to sign the defender.
The Slovakia international had fallen down the pecking order in Jurgen Klopp's plans after a series of poor performances in the Premier League led him to lose his place to Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho while former Schalke defender Joel Matip has been signed for next season.
Skrtel's immediate future will be at the heart of Slovakia defence at Euro 2016 when they go up against England and Wales in Group B but despite Middlesbrough's reluctance to sign the experienced defender, the 31-year-old is not short of suitors with reports suggesting he will be heading to Turkey.
It is understood a fee of around €8m will be enough for Besiktas to take the defender with the Turkish champions more than willing to pay the fee.
But any deal involving Skrtel and his representatives is unlikely to be finalised soon due to his participation in Euro 2016.