Liverpool came back from 3-1 down at Carrow Road today to eventually clinch a 5-4 victory versus Norwich, so it’s unlikely fans will be paying too much attention to our ongoing transfer saga right now.
But there’s been some developments, with Shakhtar’s 26-year-old Brazilian Alex Teixeira speaking directly to the press regarding our interest.
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What’s certain is this – the player wants to move – but worryingly, isn’t too fussed over which English side eventually secures him…
“I would like to move in this transfer window and have told them [Shakhtar] that,” he told Brazilian outlet O 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.”
The offer we assume Teixeira is referring to is our opening £24m bid, but the Guardian claim we’re ready to increase that to something close to the £38m price-tag put on his head by the Ukrainians.
Chelsea’s interest seemed to have gone cold following our initial efforts, but Teixeira’s comments suggest it might be a head to head with the Londoners for his signature.
We really hope that the location of the city doesn’t become a factor in negotiations, as it did with Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal.
What’s positive is that if Liverpool can agree a fee with Shakhtar for his services, we should be able to seal the deal before the end of the month with the player keen on a switch.
Now it’s up to Ian Ayre and the negotiators…