Martin Skrtel has moved a step closer to becoming the most expensive defender in Liverpool's history after passing his medical.

A club record £6.5million fee has been agreed with Skrtel's Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg, and personal terms have also been agreed with the player.

Skrtel is now waiting for the deal to be rubber-stamped by Liverpool's owners.

The Slovakia international centre-back was manager Rafael Benitez's top target for the January transfer window, and the Reds boss is looking to get the transfer wrapped up as quickly as possible so he can incorporate Skrtel into the Liverpool squad.

But currently chief executive Rick Parry is in New York holding discussions with club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The meetings have been arranged to make a decision on what plan the Americans will agree on for the new stadium planned for Stanley Park.

It is also clear that talks are still going on regarding Liverpool's overall financing, with the Americans still searching for a deal to re-finance their original loans to buy the club, and to find the cash for the new stadium.

A decision is expected to be announced on the new stadium scheme tomorrow, and it is also expected that Skrtel's transfer will also be finalised for him to be included in Liverpool's squad to play Middlesbrough on Saturday.