Meireles hands in transfer request

Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles tonight handed in a written transfer request, fuelling speculation he was set for a last-gasp move to Chelsea.

In an echo of Fernando Torres’ January switch to Stamford Bridge, Meireles declared his desire to leave Anfield with the transfer window set to draw to a close.

Chelsea reportedly had a bid rejected for Meireles yesterday but, having seemingly missed out on Tottenham’s Luka Modric, they may well have met Liverpool’s asking price.