Alex Teixeira to Chelsea: Shakhtar Donetsk forward says it is 'great' to be linked with Blues move

The Blues have been linked with the player all season long

Alex Teixeira is happy with Chelsea's interest (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea target Alex Teixeira says he is flattered to be linked with the club.

The Shakhtar Donetsk, 26, forward has been a target for the Blues this season, and has called Chelsea a "great club".

Earlier this month Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu said that the player would be allowed to leave should the club receive the right bid.

"It's great to have a club like Chelsea interested in me," Teixeira said. "I always try to do my job well and play to my best.

"Shakhtar Donetsk are not very big in Brazil, and I think I may need to move on to stand out and earn a place in the squad. That's my goal for 2016."

Lucesscu had said this week: "If there is an offer that will satisfy both player and the club I will fully support his move.

"At the moment, Alex is Shakhtar's player. We'll see in the summer, now there's no point talking about it. This year, he needs to play so that he grows even more, despite the fact that Alex's level is very high even today.

"I want to see my players perform in the best, top teams in Europe. This means that both my assistants and I have not been working in vain for so many years.

"We signed players, who were 17-19, and brought them to the level of the top clubs. I wonder how many coaches in Europe are working based on such a scheme?"

Teixeira has yet to play for Brazil at full international level.