Shakhtar stand firm over Teixeira deal

The increased offer is the Reds' second attempt at capturing the exciting forward, who has also been tracked by Chelsea.

Liverpool's opening offer of £24.5m was rebuffed by the Ukrainian league leaders last week after chief executive Ian Ayre met with Shakhtar officials in Miami.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of his need for extra firepower and Teixeira fits the bill after scoring 22 goals in just 15 league games this season.

Shakhtar are notoriously difficult to negotiate with and their valuation is still some distance from Liverpool's two offers.

When quizzed about Liverpool raising their bid on Monday, Klopp rebuffed the question, saying: "There's absolutely nothing to say. Maybe it surprises you. I have nothing to say to things like this."

The 26-year-old has also attracted the interest of Chelsea and Bayern Munich with his prolific strike rate in the Ukrainian Premier League this campaign.

While averaging 61.4 minutes per goal domestically, Teixeira also netted three times in a Champions League group that included Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

The uncapped Brazilian is looking for a move to western Europe to further his ambitions of playing for his country.

Teixeira told Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte: "I would like to move in this transfer window and have told them [Shakhtar] that.

"They have received a very good offer and they are working on a solution. But if I don't go now then I will leave in the summer.

"After six years in Europe and with Shakhtar we are ready to move and I have spoken to my wife and daughter.

"It is my desire to move to a big league and I know that the English league is very strong. I am ready and I know that I will grow up a lot there.

"I am aware that two big clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea are interested but I haven't given my word to either of them."

Source: MailOnline

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