Liverpool Hijack Chelsea’s Deal After Tabling £24.6m Offer For 26-Goal Attacker

With the winter transfer window in full swing, manager’s are working hard trying to strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season. Today, Liverpool have made their move for Chelsea target Alex Teixeira….

Liverpool are looking to beat Chelsea to the signing of Alex Teixeira after chief executive Ian Ayre flew out to Florida to submit a £24.6m offer for the Shakhtar Donetsk attacker, according to the Guardian.

Teixeira has been in red hot form for the Ukrainian champions this season having scored an incredible 26 goals in just 26 games in all competitions so far, despite only being played as an attacking midfielder.

The 26-year-old’s stunning form has led to interest from Chelsea with the Express reporting earlier this week that the Blues were in talks in Shakhtar over a potential deal after the attacker had verbally agreed personal terms over a move to Stamford Bridge.

However, it looks like Liverpool are now trying to hijack Chelsea’s move as the Guardian are one of several British media outlets who are reporting today that the Merseysiders have submitted an official £24.6m offer to Shakhtar for Teixeira’s signature.

The newspaper suggests that Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre has flown over to Florida – where Shakhtar are preparing to play in a friendly tournament – to hold formal talks with the Ukrainian giants and to try and thrash out a deal.

The Guardian claim that Shakhtar value Teixeira at nearer £30m but Liverpool are understood to be confident they can secure a deal that would see the Brazilian attacker move to Anfield this month.

The news will come as a huge blow to Chelsea’s hopes of signing Teixeira so we’ll have to wait and see whether the Premier League champions decide to step-up their interest in light of Liverpool’s offer.

For now it looks as though the Reds are firmly in pole position and it would be an excellent piece of business if Jurgen Klopp could get a deal over the line as the German coach desperately needs to add some goals and creativity to his team, and Teixeira would fit the bill perfectly.

The South American has scored 67 goals in 146 games for Shakhtar since joining the club five years ago so he’d certainly add some much-needed firepower to the Liverpool squad and he’s capable of playing in a variety of positions.

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There have been suggestions that gaining a work permit could be a major stumbling block as the attacker is yet to earn a single cap for the Brazilian senior team. However, Liverpool are confident of getting a work permit as Teixeira should qualify under the new points-based system which awards points based on factors like the size of transfer fee being paid, the players contract value and whether he’s competed at the top level of European football.

A player needs to get 4 points or more to be recommended for a work permit and Teixeira should have 6-7, so there is a strong chance he’d get a work permit if a deal can be agreed with Shakhtar this month.