Liverpool FC have tabled a £24.5million bid for Shakhtar Donestk attacker Alex Teixeira, per reports in the Liverpool Echo.
The Brazilian, 26-years-old, is said to be Jürgen Klopp's main target for the January transfer window as he chases his first major signing in the Liverpool hotseat, but there are complications as the Ukranian club value their player at around £38.5million.
However, it is thought that the Reds are increasingly confident of getting the deal done, with Chief Executive Ian Ayre having already flown out to the United States, where Shakhtar are currently holding a winter training camp, to complete the deal.
Teixeira would bring welcome goals to Reds
An attacking player with an eye for goal, it's thought that Teixeira would give the Reds a new dimension going forward, an area in which they've struggled this season.
Having scored just 25 goals in 22 Premier League games, the likes of Adam Lallana, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino have failed to deliver in forward areas, whilst their best frontman, Daniel Sturridge, has been sidelined with injury.
Teixeira comes blessed with a reputation for goalscoring, having netted 22 times in 15 games already this season, becoming one of the most wanted players in Europe, with Liverpool's rivals Chelsea also said to be interested.
It does look like the Merseyside club are in pole position to grab his signature though, and the thought of hin linking up with fellow countrymen Philippe Coutinho and Firmino is a mouthwatering prospect.
Previous evidence points to a smart move
Not only will Texeira's goal record make him an exciting prospect for Liverpool fans, but their record in the January window may do similar.
Bar the anomaly that was Andy Carroll, the Reds have signed the likes of Luis Suarez and Daniel Agger, plus the aforementioned Sturridge and Coutinho, in January over the past decade, all being excellent servants for the club.
They'll also be given heart by Shakhtar's impressive record for nurturing talented attacking midfielders in recent years, with Willian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Douglas Costa all having gone on to stardom in the past few years.
