Raul Meireles leaves Chelsea for Fenerbahce

Last updated : 03 September 2012 By mail online

The transfer window in Turkey does not close until September 5 so Meireles was able to quit Stamford Bridge and sign a four-year deal with the Istanbul side.

Meireles had been unhappy at Chelsea since the manager who signed him in the summer of 2011, Andre Villas-Boas, was sacked last season.

He has not been first choice under Villas-Boas? successor Roberto Di Matteo and bar the occasional good performance the 29-year-old has struggled.

Fenerbahce announced on Monday morning that they were conducting negotiations with the west London side.

His finest hour in a Chelsea shirt came during the side's battling 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final last season.

Meireles put in a tireless display but picked up a careless booking which saw him miss the final in Munich.

If his move goes through it would appear that Ramires? days as a right-winger are limited because Chelsea are light in the middle.

With the acquisition of wide men Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, and the loan departures of central midfielders Michael Essien and Josh McEachran to Real Madrid and Middlesbrough respectively, the Brazilian should be utilised in his natural position again.

Source: mail online

Source: mail online