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Shakhtar Donetsk's Alex Teixeira subject of Liverpool interest - sources

Liverpool are hoping to sign Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira, sources have told ESPN FC.

Liverpool have sent out a delegation to speak with Shakhtar about Teixeira, 26, during the Ukrainian side's winter break in the United States at the Florida Cup.

It was earlier reported by the Liverpool Echo and The Guardian that the Reds have made an offer in the region of £24.5 million for the player.

Teixeira, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea, has scored 22 goals in 15 league appearances for Shakhtar this season and would provide Reds boss Jurgen Klopp with another attacking option.

Klopp is currently without injured strikers Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings, with his side ninth in the table.

In November, Teixeira said Chelsea and Juventus were in talks to sign him and that playing in the Premier League is his dream.

The attacking midfielder told Lance!: "What I've heard and what my agent has said is that Chelsea, Juventus and PSG have made offers, but Chelsea and Juventus have gone further in the negotiations. All three are big clubs. Wherever I'll end up, I'll be happy."

Shakhtar are reluctant to lose Teixeira during this month's transfer window and Liverpool's move to hold talks with the club is to try to line up a deal for the Brazilian in the summer as they look to beat Chelsea to his signature.

Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu confirmed that Teixeira missed out on this week's friendly with Corinthians as he picked up an injury in training.