Liverpool shocked as Teixeira release clause revealed

Alex Teixeira TEAMtalk

Shakhtar Donetsk have declared they will not sell Liverpool target Alex Teixeira until then end of the season and not for less than £53million.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder is wanted by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and the club are believed to have had bids of £24.6million and £28million for the player rejected after chief executive Ian Ayre travelled to Florida to open talks with the Ukrainian side.

Chelsea are also believed to be monitoring Teixeira, but the news of the 26-year-old’s €70m (£53m) release clause is unlikely to see a deadline-day move from Stamford Bridge, while Liverpool are now unlikely to wrap up a deal for the player who has scored 26 goals this season.

Shakhtar general director, Sergiy Palkin, insisted on Friday that they would only be willing to sell Teixeira if somebody matched the inflated £53million buyout – the first time such a clause has been mentioned.

“Liverpool’s offer stopped at €32m with a €4m bonus,” Palkin told TV programme Football 1.

“This is the last number that was announced. Our position is that we do not want to sell Teixeira today.

“We will sell him only at the end of the season. We need to have some good results in the Europa League and the Ukraine championship. At the end of the season we will sit down at the negotiating table.

“Teixeira has a compensation charge in his contract – the price is €70m. Please, if someone wants him – let them come and declare themselves.”

Earlier this week Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu had tipped Alex Teixeira to be a huge success at Anfield and claimed he was worth  €50m, but his value has now rocketed.