Thursday morning delivered hugely unexpected news, in Liverpool’s £25 million bid for Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Alex Teixeira.
Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre is said to have travelled to Florida to discuss a possible move for Teixeira this January.
Shakhtar are at a winter training camp in Miami, and Ayre will be confident that, despite the initial offer being below the Ukrainian club’s valuation for the attacking midfielder, a deal can be agreed.
Reports of Liverpool’s bid for Teixeira came out of the blue, provoking considerable reaction on Twitter.
Some focussed on the merits of signing another fleet-footed, Brazilian to add to Jurgen Klopp‘s attacking ranks.
Alex Teixeira?! Yes, please! Firmino false nine, flanked by Teixeira and one other ??
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 21, 2016
Shakhtar have unearthed sone brilliant talent over the years- Willian, Douglas Costa, Mkhitaryan etc- and Teixeira is in that category
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 21, 2016
Alex Texeira is really, really good by the way. Not hitting Douglas Costa kind of levels, though. Maybe as good as Henrikh Mkhitaryan. #LFC
— Leroy | LFC Impulse (@LFCImpulse) January 21, 2016
Just when it seemed the transfer window would pass by without incident, #LFC decide to make things interesting. #Teixeira #hopethatkillsyou
— Sam Drury (@SamDrury11) January 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/MerseysideFisch/status/690112493751029760
Alex, Bob and Phil. Could be the most un-Brazilian sounding trio ever put together.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 21, 2016
While others sought out the numbers.
Alex Texeira- 22 goals and 3 assists in 15 apps, a goal or assist every 54 mins. Only failed to score or assist once pic.twitter.com/ceh0J2w7bx
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) January 21, 2016
Alex Teixeira's total of 26 goals this season in all competitions is more than #LFC's five strikers have managed collectively (21)
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) January 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/690104668916158464
Many praised the club’s under-the-radar transfer business, noting widespread reports of a move for Southampton‘s Shane Long.
https://twitter.com/Hari_Sethi/status/690111456227016705
https://twitter.com/AnalyseSport/status/690105610231255040
Shane Long was a smokescreen.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 21, 2016
No one had a clue about Caulker. Same with Texeira. I like this Liverpool.
— Sai (@TheEngancheRole) January 21, 2016
News of Liverpool being interested in Teixeira wasn't leaked weeks ago. Let's hope this a new era of in house business conduction at LFC
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 21, 2016
Can't see us getting the Teixeira deal over the line personally but it's certainly a step up from Shane Long ..
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) January 21, 2016
‘ptt’ in the forums commented:
Seems to have superb composure in front of and a good eye for goal plus a real dogged tenacity. Won’t get as many dodgey keepers over here (except in training) but looks like a real player :-)
Come on Ian, get him signed!
Naturally, with Teixeira plying his trade in only Brazil and the Ukraine so far throughout his career, some had never heard of the 26-year-old.
Best get on YouTube & get excited about this Teixeira fella. I’m looking forward to some techno music. Not even kidding, never heard of him!
— GaGs (@GagsTandon) January 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/neilpoole_/status/690103125861142530
https://twitter.com/PeteKopite/status/690102317979451392
Finally, with Liverpool’s injury problems attack well known, journalist Melissa Reddy highlighted Teixeira’s physical robustness:
Alex Teixeira, apart from being quite prolific, also hardly gets injured. Last reported setback in 2013/14 and he only missed two games#LFC
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) January 21, 2016
How do you feel about Liverpool’s £25 million move for Alex Teixeira? Let us know in the comments below.
