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Liverpool transfer rumours and news: Reds fail with £28m Alex Teixeira bid; legend wants to sign Ryan Shawcross

The latest rumours, news and tittle-tattle to emerge from Anfield's corridors this morning

Samuel Stevens
Tuesday 26 January 2016 09:08 GMT
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Alex Teixeira
Alex Teixeira

Liverpool have failed with a second £28m offer for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira as the Ukrainian outfit stand firm in the hope of securing closer to £38m. According to the Daily Mail, the Reds returned on Monday with a higher bid after the £24.5m opening offer failed last week.

Jurgen Klopp has previously said he doesn’t want to spend ‘Disneyland money’ on new signings despite the difficult circumstances presented by the January transfer window. The 26-year-old has scored 22 goals in just 15 league games this season, alerting Chelsea to his talents. The Anfield outfit have since stolen a march on their Premier League rivals, however, and have been buoyed by news that Teixeira wants to move to Merseyside.

German boss Klopp was asked about the Brazilian star ahead of the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg clash with Stoke City but was coy with reporters. “It’s absolutely nothing to say,” he told the press. “Maybe it surprises you. Nothing to say to things like this.”

5 things you need to know about Alex Teixeira

Reds legend Phil Thompson has described Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross as the ‘ideal’ man to fit into Klopp’s defence. Mark Hughes’ side travel to Anfield tonight hoping to secure safe passage to the Capital One Cup final but may face questions about his 28-year-old defender’s future after comments made last night.

Thompson said: “When Liverpool evaluate at the end of the season and look at the sort of goals they conceded, I wouldn't be averse to see them looking towards Shawcross as a solution. In fact I think he would be absolutely ideal and he's been one of the most underrated centre-backs over the last five seasons. You just have to look at Stoke's stats with and without him.”

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross

West Bromwich Albion are not intterested in taking a risk on striker Mario Balotelli, report the Express and Star. The combustible 25-year-old is currently on loan with AC Milan, from Liverpool, but has made just four appearances for the San Siro club.

Journalists in Italy seemed to suggest a move to the Hawthorns was on the cards but the Italy striker’s baggage has been known to put clubs off in the past. West Brom are currently 14th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of trouble, following the disheartening 0-0 draw with bottom club Aston Villa on Saturday.

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