Teixeira heading to China after Shakhtar agree massive deal
Jiangsu Suning have agreed a deal to sign Liverpool target Alex Teixeira from Shakhtar Donetsk for 50million euros ($56million), the Ukrainian club have announced on their website.
Liverpool had been closely linked with a move for the 26-year-old Brazilian during the January transfer window and Shakhtar said they rejected a £24million ($35m) offer from the Reds for the attacking midfielder, with their asking price being 70m euros ($78m) for a summer transfer.
Now, Shakhtar have announced a deal with Chinese side Jiangsu.
A statement on shakhtar.com read: "Shakhtar Donetsk and Jiangsu Suning FC have agreed on all the necessary formalities for the transfer of Alex Teixeira to the Chinese club. Transfer fee for the Brazilian midfielder is 50 million euros.
"Shakhtar thank Alex for the time spent in the team and wish him success at his new club."
Teixeira would have preferred to move to England in January, but says the offers from Premier League clubs did not suit teh club or the player.
"Everyone always knew that I wanted to stay in Europe and move to an English Premier League club," Teixeira told the official Shakhtar website.
"I wanted to make it to the Premier League one day. But, unfortunately, all the proposals that came from them were somewhat unsubstantial and did not contain anything concrete.
"I received a serious offer from China, so of course I took it. I discussed it with my family and the people that are close to me. I consulted with my wife the most and she supported my decision.
"Despite the fact that it all took place at a lightning speed, I would not say that it was an easy decision. I just had to respond quickly.
Teixeira joined Shakhtar in December 2009 from Vasco da Gama and scored 89 goals in 223 appearances for the Ukrainian outfit.
He has also helped the club claim five Premier League titles, three domestic cups and five Super Cups.
Teixeira is the third big-money signing by a Chinese club in the last fortnight, with the Asian transfer record being broken on each occasion in the wake of a bumper new TV rights deal.
Jiangsu, who are coached by former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu, paid £21.5million ($31.23m) to sign Ramires from Chelsea before Guangzhou Evergrande smashed the record again this week with £31.7million signing of Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid.
