Who is… Liverpool’s big-money target Alex Teixeira?
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Jurgen Klopp has kept his cards relatively close to his chest about his intentions for this January transfer window, but the Liverpool boss appears to have now revealed his hand.
It’s been revealed this week that Liverpool have approached Shakhtar Donetsk over attacker Alex Teixeira and it’s believed the Reds will pay up to £24.5m in a bid to beat Chelsea for his signature.
The Ukrainian club are reported to be holding out for £30-40m for the Brazilian, but whatever the exact fee, it’s clear now how much Klopp is seeking new strikers.
With Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Divock Origi all injured, an out-of-sorts Christian Benteke has been Liverpool’s only recognised forward for the large part of the season.
Such is Liverpool’s keenness to get a deal done, reports in the press say chief executive Ian Ayre is in America to tie up a deal while Shakhtar are in the States for warm-weather training.
Teixeira began his career with one of Brazil’s most well-known clubs in Vasco da Gama, and the forward quickly impressed while also racing up through the youth ranks of Brazil’s national side.
After two years and 92 appearances the 26-year-old moved to Shakhtar in 2009 for around €6m and he has since improved season by season in Donetsk.
In his first-full season Teixeira bagged six goals in all competitions, but he has since struck double figures in four of the following five seasons.
It’s his form over the last two campaigns which has really begun turning heads however.
Racking up 17 goals in 22 Ukrainian Premier League games last season, Teixeira has taken it to another level this term with 22 strikes in just 15 appearances.
The Brazilian is no stranger to winning trophies with Shakhtar, claiming six cups and five league titles.
Those league successes have brought Champions League football, and the 5ft 8in forward boasts a decent return of 12 goals in his last 33 European appearances – including a strike against Chelsea in 2013.
Having seen Alexis Sanchez and Teixeira’s former team-mate Willian turn down moves to Anfield for a stint in London, Liverpool are evidently going all out to ensure they still have the gravitas to bring in Europe’s most sought-after stars.
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