Alex Teixeira of Shakhtar Donetsk could be the next international player to join the suddenly star-studded Chinese Super League.
China's transfer window open until Feb. 26 and more moves are expected to go down in the Chinese Super League in the coming days. One deal rumored to be finalized soon is Teixeira joining Guangzhou Evergrande on a transfer fee of £38 million, according to Calciomercato.
Teixeira was a hot pursuit for Liverpool FC during the winter transfer market, but the Reds failed to sign the Brazilian attacking midfielder. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the club made offers to bring in Teixeira, but was priced out by the Ukrainian club.
"We made offers, I won't say too much about that, but they were realistic with the plusses of it being January, the Premier League, all the plusses you have when you make negotiations," Klopp said, reports Team Talk.
"It's not that we haven't got money but you have to work respectfully and responsibly. That's what we do."
Liverpool opened negotiations for Teixeira last week with an initial offer of £24 million. However, it was declined by Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palin, pricing the 26-year-old at £53 million for a summer transfer.
"Liverpool stopped after an offer of 32 million euro (£24m) and a 4m euro (£3m) bonus," Palkin told Ukrainian television channel Football 1 as reported by the Independent.
"At the end of the season we will sit down at the negotiating table. Teixeira has a compensation charge in his contract - the price is 70m euro (£53m)."
If Teixeira decides to join Guangzhou, he will play alongside the club's new recruit former Atletico Madrid forward Jack Martinez, who accepted a deal worth €42 million to play in the CSL.
The Reds have an opportunity to try another attempt to bring Teixeira to Anfield, but with Guangzhou ready to shell out a hefty pay, Liverpool's chance are slim to none.