Liverpool transfer target Alex Teixeira 'will reject move' to Chinese Super League

Alex Teixeira will not join Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, according to Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu. The 26-year-old Brazilian was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool during the January transfer window, while he was also rumoured to be the subject of a bid from the Chinese side.

But Lucescu has rubbished suggestions his star player is on the cusp of leaving the club to join the burgeoning Chinese league.

"We haven't sold Alex Teixera," the Shakhtar coach explained to Calcio Mercato. "I am not aware of any negotiations with Chinese clubs – they are just the usual rumours which do the rounds during the transfer periods. The lad's not going anywhere. He's staying with us until the end of the season."

Teixera has been persistently linked with a move away from the Ukrainian club in recent months, with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus also said to be among the clubs interested in his services.

"What I've heard and what my agent has said is that Chelsea, Juventus and PSG have made offers, but Chelsea and Juventus have gone further in the negotiations. All three are big clubs. Wherever I'll end up, I'll be happy," the Liverpool target said last year.

Teixera also claimed his "dream" was to play in the Premier League. "I'm happy to have received this offer from Chelsea, one of Europe's big clubs, but it's my agent who's taking care of this," he added.

Teixera reportedly featured prominently on the January transfer wishlist of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. But the Reds failed to strike a deal for the sought-after player before the window closed on 1 February.