Liverpool have confirmed that they have signed Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles from Porto for a fee in the region of £11.5 million.

Meireles, 27, starred for Portugal in the World Cup in South Africa, starting all four games, and has agreed a four-year contract to join the Merseyside outfit.

Roy Hodgson has acted fast as he prepares for life without midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is on the verge of joining Spanish champions Barcelona, while Goal.com UK earlier exclusively revealed that the club are also eyeing a deal for Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra.

Hodgson is also seemingly close to signing Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky, with the defender due to have a medical at the club in the near future, and is apparently also interested in signing West Ham United striker Carlton Cole before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening.