Saturday, August 20, 2011

Liverpool And Chelsea Set For Shock Swap Deal

Liverpool is reportedly set to propose a remarkable swap deal with Chelsea if the Blues are serious in their pursuit of Raul Meireles.

Chelsea are focusing their efforts this summer on bolstering a midfield that was often left short of creativity and imagination last season and are attempting to recruit Valencia's Juan Mata and Tottenham star Luka Modric.

The Blues have also been linked with Portugal international Meireles, who they believe can add more drive and work-rate to the middle of the park. It is thought manager Andre Villas-Boas is a fan of the 28-year-old having worked with him briefly while both were at Porto.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to trim the size of his midfield following the arrivals of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing. Despite being recognized as Liverpool's player of the season last year, it is thought Meireles could be sold in order to free up some space and to ease the wage bill.

And according to caughtoffside.com, the Merseyside club will demand striker Daniel Sturridge in return for Meireles if Chelsea firm up their interest with an offer.

England U-21 star Sturridge was in superb form last season whilst on-loan at Bolton. After joining Wanderers in January, the 21-year-old forward bagged eight goals in 12 appearances but still finds himself way down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba are the obvious first-choice while the presence of Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and £20m new-boy Romelu Lukaku means Sturridge has dropped further down the list.

Liverpool are keen to bring in another striker as they are short of options behind Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez but whether Sturridge will be willing to swap the bench at Chelsea for Anfield is uncertain.

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