Hours after losing holding midfielder Javier Mascherano to Barcelona in a €21m deal, Liverpool have already signed the Argentine’s replacement – Raul Meireles of FC Porto in a €13m swoop.
27-year-old Meireles had entered his final season for the third-placed 2009/10 Portuguese Liga side, where he primarily operates in either a central or defensive midfielder role, hence his relatively cut-price transfer fee. The Portuguese international had been heavily linked with Manchester United during the summer, particularly after United’s proposed move for Mesut Ozil had broken down.
Meireles’ is not Roy Hodgson’s only signing this evening – Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky is to undergo a medical prior to reuniting with his former boss in a €4.8m move. Numerous sources are tonight confirming that Mark Hughes’ side have now agreed a fee for the 29-year-old.
To conclude a busy night of transfers, Fulham have already signed their own replacement for the departing Konchesky – PSV Eindhoven’s Carlos Salcido, in a deal thought to have cost €2.7m.
