Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergiy Palki has taken a strong stance in Liverpool’s bid for Alex Teixeira, claiming he is unlikely to leave this January.
Liverpool made their first bid for the Brazilian midfielder earlier this month, but though talks have continued as the transfer window draws to a close, Shakhtar have held firm on their valuation.
Teixeira revealed that the Reds had offered around £24 million to secure his services this January, claiming that he was looking to leave the Ukraine this January.
But Palki, speaking to Ukrainian TV, has suggested that the club won’t sell Teixeira for lower than his release clause, said to be around £53 million.
“Liverpool stopped after an offer of stopped at [£24 million] and a [£3 million] bonus,” he explained.
“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 [£53 million].
“Please, if someone wants him—let them come and declare themselves.”
This valuation is close to double what Liverpool were prepared to offer, putting Palki’s counterpart, Ian Ayre, in a difficult position.
With Shakhtar keen to hold on to Teixeira until the end of the season, a January move is now doubtful.
Reports on Thursday indicated that Jurgen Klopp was not willing to sanction a payment of over the odds for the 26-year-old.
Whether this is mere posturing from Palki, as Shakhtar look for closer to their reported valuation of £38 million, remains to be seen.
But for Liverpool, a fee of £53 million is too steep for Teixeira.
If this is the case, Klopp would be wise to look elsewhere, with better value to be found in other areas of the January market.
Fan Comments