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Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Mircea Lucescu has indicated the sought-after forward Alex Teixeira should be available for around £38million and claimed he would not stand in the player’s way if he wished to leave.
The 26-year-old is currently being chased by Liverpool, with chief executive Ian Ayre in the United States holding negotiations with the Ukrainian club. Chelsea are also believed to be interested in Teixeira, though he is rumoured to prefer a move to Anfield.
Liverpool saw their initial offer of £24.6million knocked by Shakhtar and a subsequent increase to £28million was also rejected.
Lucescu, while speaking to magazine FourFourTwo
“He’s worth €50million (£38million),” he said. “He’s incredible, very fast, very good technique. I compare him with other players of the same age who changed [the fortunes of] a club, Di Maria for example at Paris Saint-Germain.”
“Teixeira can be at the same level, better even. He doesn’t get injured, and every year he gets better and better.”
The Brazilian has scored 26 goals in 25 appearances so far this season, form which Lucescu believes has convinced the forward he can succeed in one of Europe’s elite leagues. Shakhtar’s head coach will not, however, stand in his player’s way if he desires to move.
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Liverpool: Players linked with transfers Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar) Liverpool showed their hand on 21 January when they made an audacious £24.6m offer to sign Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira, who has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Chelsea. Is said to have already agreed personal terms but the Ukrainian club, who were in Orlando for the Florida Cup at the time, reportedly value the 26-year-old at £38m.
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"Our president knows when it is the time for Teixeira to go,” explained Lucescu. "I don’t want to keep a player against his desire. He wants to play in a big championship."
If he were to be sold for £38million, it would be the highest-ever sum Shakhtar have received for a player. That record is currently taken by the £28million received from Manchester City for Fernandinho in 2013.
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