:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48609003/484505170.0.jpg)
Sorry Joao Carlos, but you might not be the only Teixeira at Melwood if Ian Ayre & Co. have their way. Liverpool have made an approach to try and lure the Brazilian attacking midfielder Alex Teixeira from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Echo is reporting that a £24.5 million bid has been tabled, though Shakhtar has previously insisted they value the 26-year-old closer to €50 million (~£38.5 million).
Ayre reportedly missed out on last night's FA Cup replay in order to hold negotiations with the Ukrainian club in Florida of all places. Not a bad time to visit the Sunshine State, Ian. It's not as random as it would at first seem, as Shakhtar are holding their winter break training camp in the U.S.
For what it's worth, Teixeira was withheld from their mid-week friendly against Corinthians. So that either means everything or absolutely nothing.
Teixeira has netted 22 goals in 15 league appearances, and 3 in 6 in the Champions League. Unfortunately, his involvement in the Champions League would mean he would be ineligible to help the Reds in the Europa League knockout rounds.
Hopefully this round of negotiations goes better than the last time Liverpool attempted a swoop for a Ukrainian-based attacking mid in the January transfer window. Chelsea have also been heavily linked with Teixeira, which also historically bodes well for the Reds.
Anyway, here's a highlight video so you can get your hopes up before being ultimately crushed: