Chelsea leave it late to sign Raul Meireles from Liverpool

Chelsea have completed the signing of Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles on a four-year deal after a late scurry of transfer activity on Wednesday night.

The 28-year-old Portugal international handed in a written transfer request late on Wednesday as the former Porto player looked to force a move to Stamford Bridge.

And the deal, believed to be worth around £12m, went through minutes before the Premier League’s deadline.

The Reds had earlier this week turned down an offer of £8m plus Yossi Benayoun from the Londoners for the midfielder.

Chelsea boss André Villas-Boas worked briefly with the Portugal international at Porto before Meireles joined Liverpool last summer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea playmaker Benayoun joined Arsenal on loan until the end of the season.