Liverpool set to get their way in Meireles deal to Chelsea
Published:Liverpool are holding firm in their demands for offloading Raul Meireles to Chelsea and it appears that they are edging closer to getting Daniel Sturridge as part of the deal.
Chelsea were eager to do some part-exchange business to bring Meireles to Stamford Bridge, but their offer of £7m plus Yossi Benayoun was quickly rebuffed.
Liverpool were clear that they wanted Sturridge in any deal with Chelsea for their Portuguese midfielder and this swap is closer to being sealed.
Although Liverpool are reluctant to lose Meireles, the fact their squad is packed full of central midfielders means that someone in theory has to be sold.
With Sebastian Coates also arriving to strengthen the defence, it is in attack where Liverpool’s squad depth is perhaps in question, especially if anything happened to Andy Carroll or Luis Suarez.
Sturridge would enhance options and proved during a loan spell at Bolton in the second half of last season that he can lead an attack.
However, he also has the versatility to star in the wide areas in a forward three, as he displayed when cutting in from the left side during Chelsea’s pre-season campaign before getting injured.
Therefore, he could prove an ideal player to have in the squad if Kenny Dalglish decides to chop and change his formation on a regular basis.
The deal makes sense to Liverpool and would make a measure of sense for Chelsea, who are desperate for some central midfield dependency.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are not short of attackers, with Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Romelu Lukaku all at their disposal.
