Alex Teixeira really wanted a transfer to Liverpool. In fact, the Brazilian really, really wanted a move to the Anfield club, and made his feelings clear on more than one occasion.
The problem was that his then club Shakhtar Donetsk had set a price they thought was fair and Liverpool weren’t preapred to match it. Initially there was some confidence in the Merseyside and wider English media that Shakhtar would come down from their claims, but in the Ukraine it was being reported very simply indeed – Liverpool wouldn’t pay the price so that was that.
Shakhtar are used to players pushing for transfers elsewhere, and hadn’t given in to public or private demands previously, so there was no real suggestion they’d do the same.
In the end, the club managed to get €50m for the player from Jiangsu Suning and Teixeira happily went off to become stinkingly rich in China.
Well, if Italy’s Calciomercato are to be believed, there’s already trouble in Chinese paradise. It’s claimed on Tuesday that Teixeira has been offered to Inter Milan via intermediaries.
The player’s agents are said to have met Inter officials to convince them how good Teixeira would be in Serie A.
Inter couldn’t afford to match the €50m fee, or even get near it, but Suning recently took a stake in the Italian club and that would have to play a big factor.
Teixeira’s apparent wish to leave Suning will inevitably lead to more Liverpool rumours, and it would be nice if the transfer finally happened, an end to a previously frustrating transfer rumour.
But then Liverpool have just purchased Sadio Mane, so may feel they have no place for the player. Teixeira was Jurgen Klopp’s first transfer window dream at Liverpool, and it looks like the Brazilian fancies moving again.