It's looking likely that Liverpool will have to up their bid in order to land Alex Teixeira in the January window.
Reports emerged on Thurday that Liverpool had tabled an offer of
€32 million for Teixeira, but the Ukrainian club were holding out for a fee closer to the €50 million mark. However, it is understood that this hasn't quelled the Reds' interest in the Brazilian.
Talks will continue between Reds managing director Ian Ayre and representatives from the Ukrainian club in Orlando, and should the deal go through in this window, it is expected that Liverpool will have to splash the cash to secure his signature.
Freelance football scribe Tim Vickery explained on Thursday's
Irish Times Second Captains podcast that Teixeira was under the impression that if Liverpool were to sign him, Shakhtar would prefer it to happen in the summer. However, he expects that if Liverpool table a big offer they could force the deal through now.
"His (Teixeira) impression was that Shakhtar would not let him go now and this was a deal that if it takes place would have to take place in the summer transfer window. Although money talks, so if Liverpool or anyone else arrive with the cash on the table, perhaps it could happen quicker."
Sam Wallace of
the Telegraph echoed Vickery's thoughts that Liverpool would force the move with a big offer.
He added that Teixeira will not automatically qualify for a work permit to play in the Premier League, although the larger the transfer fee, the more likely he would be to obtain one on appeal under the new Football Association-operated Home Office guidelines.
