Reds edge closer to Teixeira after breakthrough
Liverpool are reportedly prepared to meet Shakhtar Donetsk's £38million asking price for striker Alex Teixeira - but won't pay the full price up front.
The Reds made an initial £24m approach for Brazilian Teixeira last week, only to hear of Shakhtar's valuation.
Website Football Insider claim they had a second offer of £29m for the 26-year-old rejected.
But Liverpool have not given up their pursuit and a third bid matching Shakhtar's demands is reportedly being drawn up.
The breakthrough is claimed to have come about because Liverpool will be allowed to structure their payments and will only fork out the full £38m if the player meets performance-related goals.
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp is keen to land a striker before the close of the transfer window.
As for Teixeira, he told Brazilian newspaper Globo last week that he wanted to move to England.
“I would like to move in this transfer window and have told them [Shakhtar] that," he said.
"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.
“I am not ruling out other leagues but I do want to play in the Premier League. In my mind, it is the strongest in the world.
"I want a challenge and to further my career there. My aim is to move to a big club so that I can well there and get a place in the Brazil squad.
"Everyone knows that it is hard to achieve and I need to leave here to achieve that goal.”
Source: Express
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