Liverpool transfer news and rumours: New hope in Teixeira move; Shawcross bid imminent; Sinclair demands exit

All the latest speculation from Anfield

Liverpool and Chelsea target Alex Teixeira (Getty)

Liverpool’s pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk’s Alex Teixeira appears to have taken an upward curve today with the Ukrainian club’s head coach saying they will not keep the forward against his will.

The Reds are determined to sign Teixeira, identified by Jurgen Klopp as an answer to his side’s blunt attack, but have had two bids rejected this month.

Shakhtar value at around £38m. Liverpool are reluctant to go higher than £29m, with negotiations stuttering as a result. Chelsea are also interested in Teixeira, a 26-year-old Brazilian who has scored 10 goals in 10 games this season, and the player says he wants to move on this month.

Now head coach Mircea Lucescu, speaking to FourFourTwo, said: “I don’t want to keep a player against his desire. He wants to play in a big championship.

“Our president knows when it is the time for Teixeira to go.

“He’s worth €50m (£38m). He’s incredible, very fast, very good technique. I compare him with other players of the same age who changed [the fortunes of] a club, Di Maria for example at Paris Saint Germain.

“Teixeira can be at the same level, better even. He doesn’t get injured, and every year he gets better and better.”

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claim Liverpool are one of a number of clubs monitoring Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, who has scored 15 goals this season.

The 22-year-old is valued at around £25 by the Ligue 1 side, with Manchester United, West Ham and Aston Villa all reported to be showing an interest.

And following claims from Phil Thompson, the Liverpool legend, that the side should sign the Stoke centre-back Ryan Shawcross, the Daily Express report that a bid is imminent. The Express say Klopp has identified Shawcross as a target to bolster his defence – not that Stoke will want to sell.

One player who appears on his way out of Anfield is 19-year-old striker Jerome Sinclair. The Daily Telegraph report Sinclair has told Klopp he wants to leave the club before this month’s transfer window shuts.

Sinclair wants to leave Anfield, where he does not believe he has a chance of first-team football. Watford would like to sign him, but may not meet Liverpool’s £3m for the youngster as he only has six months remaining on his contract.

The Telegraph report that Watford could wait until the end of the season to move for Sinclair, therefore avoiding a Premier League tribunal.