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Fenerbahce's Raul Meireles is a name that seems to have been linked with Sunderland during every transfer window in recent years and despite the Premier League season just finishing, this summer's transfer window is no different.
It was reported in the press at the weekend that Gus Poyet had asked about Meireles and now Poyet has been quoted in the Turkish press expressing his wish to see the Portuguese international midfielder in the red and white of Sunderland;
I need a leader on the pitch and a tough football player.
I would like to see Raul Meireles on our staff in the coming season.
He also wore the jerseys of Chelsea and Liverpool, so he's a familiar name in the Premier League.
With Meireles expected to be named in the Portugal squad for the World Cup, the report suggests that the 31-year-old midfielder's future will not be decided until after the tournament is over.
Despite the player's age, there is no doubting his quality and with question marks hanging over the future of Jack Colback, Seb Larsson and Craig Gardner, as well as the end of Ki Sung-Yueng's loan deal, the possible signing of a player who has plenty of Premier League experience would seem to be a positive move and could provide the midfield with the type of experienced know-how missing since the departure of Bolo Zenden.
