Shaktar Donetsk demand €70 m for Liverpool target Teixeira

Shakhtar Donetsk have warned Liverpool and Chelsea they will not sell Alex Teixeira for less than his €70m release clause.

Jürgen Klopp’s side had a €32.2m bid for the Brazil international rejected last week and are expected to return with a new offer in the coming days, with Chelsea also believed to be interested in the 26-year-old.

However, the Ukrainian club’s general director, Sergiy Palkin, insisted on Friday that would only be willing to accept a vastly increased offer and requested any clubs who can afford his buyout clause to “declare themselves”.

“Liverpool stopped after an offer of stopped at €32m and 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.

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

Earlier his week, Teixeira questioned Shakhtar’s decision to reject Liverpool’s opening bid and said it would be “an honour” to play for them. Palkin also revealed that Klopphas been the driving force nehind Liverpool’s interest.

“I am sure that without the agreement of Klopp there would not be a discussion with Liverpool. He wants to have a personal meeting with Teixeira in Liverpool,” he said.

Asked what coach Mircea Lucescu’s position is over the Brazilian, Palkin added: “He wants Teixeira play for Shakhtar until the end of the season. We have very serious purposes, we need to achieve them. We must adhere to a common goal.”