Liverpool make £24.5m offer for Chelsea target Alex Teixeira as club send delegation to Florida to begin talks with Shakhtar star.

Liverpool have made a £24.5million offer for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira 

The prolific 26-year-old Brazilian has been targeted by Chelsea with Shakhtar willing to sell.

However, Liverpool, are eager to add a greater goal threat to their misfiring squad and have moved to sound out a deal.

A club delegation, including chief executive Ian Ayre, has travelled to Orlando, Florida, where Shakhtar are playing in the Florida Cup tournament, to open talks with the Ukrainian club. 

Teixeira has an impressive 22 goals in 15 league games this season, as well as three in six Champions League appearances. 

He figured for Shakhtar in their friendly against Fluminense at the weekend but was left out of their squad to face Corinthians on Wednesday night. 

Chelsea had been primed to make an offer but recent talks suggested a move was more likely for the summer.

Shakhtar lost 3-2 to Corinthians and coach Mircea Lucescu said Teixeira had been left out after picking up an injury on Tuesday. Liverpool are understood to have offered £24.5m.

Teixeira has spoken of his desire to move to help earn an international call-up. Though he has been capped at Uner 20 level, his lack of full caps could yet hinder any work permit application. 

If talks progress, Teixeira could link up at Anfield with fellow Brazilians Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva, who are all key to Jurgen Klopp's plans.