Liverpool have been handed a transfer boost in their pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk star Alex Teixeira.
Teixeira, a prolific attacking midfielder, has confirmed that he has told the club he wants to leave this month.
Liverpool have had a £25m bid for the player turned down this week, with Shakhtar valuing him at around £38m.
Speaking to Brazilian newspaper Globo, Teixeira said: “I would like to move in this transfer window and have told them [Shakhtar] that. They have received a very good offer and they are working on a solution.
“But if I don’t go now then I will leave in the summer. After six years in Europe and with Shakhtar we are ready to move and I have spoken to my wife and daughter.
“It is my desire to move to a big league and I know that the English league is very strong.
“I am ready and I know that I will grow up a lot there. I am aware that two big clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea are interested but I haven’t given my word to either of them.
“I am not ruling out other leagues but I do want to play in the Premier League. In my mind, it is the strongest in the world. I want a challenge and to further my career there.
“My aim is to move to a big club so that I can well there and get a place in the Brazil squad. Everyone knows that it is hard to achieve and I need to leave here to achieve that goal”
By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75
