Chelsea and Liverpool target Alex Teixeira: I want to leave Shakhtar this month

In the mix: Chelsea and Liverpool are doing battle for the Shakhtar midfielder
Christian Hofer/Getty Images
James Benge24 January 2016

Alex Teixeira wants to leave Shakhtar Donetsk in January as Liverpool and Chelsea continue to battle it out for the Brazilian midfielder.

Liverpool this week joined the champions in the chase for the 26-year-old, flying out to Orlando, wher Shakhtar are in a training camp, to try to secure the deal.

Teixeira, who has scored an average of a goal a game this season, had been a long-standing priority target for Chelsea but their Premier League rivals seem to have stolen a march on the champions by submitting a £23 million bid.

Shakhtar, who value their star man at £30m, rejected that bid but Teixeria is hopeful his club will do business before the transfer window closes.

“I would like to move in this transfer window and have told [Shakhtar] that," Teixeira told Globo.

“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.”

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Despite outstanding displays in the Champions League, including a two-goal haul against Real Madrid, Teixeria has never been called up to the Brazil squad.

He believes a move to a higher-profile competition will help his chances of booking a place in Dunga’s squad in time for this summer’s Copa America.

“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 do well there and get a place in the Brazil squad.

“Everyone knows that is hard to achieve and I need to leave here to achieve that goal.”

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