Alex Teixeira to Chelsea: Liverpool fly out to hijack deal for £30m Shakhtar Donetsk midfielde

Chelsea target: Alex Teixeira Christian Hofer/Getty Images

Liverpool are looking to beat Chelsea to the signing of Alex Teixeira and have flown to the USA to conduct negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Chief executive Ian Ayre has led a Liverpool delegation to Orlando, where Shakhtar are currently participating in the Florida Cup.
Liverpool have already had an opening bid of £23m rejected for Teixeira, who has scored 26 goals in as many games this season.
The 26-year-old, who is valued at £30m, has been on top of Chelsea's wish-list for some time and the club were hoping to buy him this month or in the summer.

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Teixeira spoke of his desire to move to Chelsea earlier this week and admitted that a transfer would improve his chances of a first call-up to the Brazil team.

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But Liverpool, who have Brazil internationals Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Lucas in their squad, believe he can fulfil his ambition with them.
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