A fee which suits both parties remains a stumbling block as the Reds are yet to improve on their initial bid, while the player has made clear he wants to leave the Ukrainian side
Talks between Liverpool and Shakhtar Donetsk are ongoing regarding the transfer of Alex Teixeira, but there has been no compromise over the valuation of the Brazilian.
The Reds made an official bid in the region of £24 million for the 26-year-old last week, with chief executive Ian Ayre holding face-to-face discussions with the Ukraine Premier Liga leaders at their warm-weather training base in Florida.
Liverpool were told to up their offer, with Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu making it clear earlier this month that "Alex is now worth more than €40m (£30.5m). I think at the end of the season, if he continues with this level of performance, his value will be €50m (£38m)."
Teixeira, who has netted 22 league goals and three assists in just 15 league games, has made his side aware of his desire to depart this month
He told Globo: “I would like to move in this transfer window and have told them [Shakhtar] that. They have received a very good offer and they are working on a solution. But if I don’t go now then I will leave in the summer.
“After six years in Europe and with Shakhtar we are ready to move and I have spoken to my wife and daughter.”
Teixeira’s representatives have been working with both clubs to try and reach an agreement over a fee that suits both parties, which remains the big stumbling block in negotiations.
Contrary to reports, Liverpool have not yet made a second bid for Teixeira. The club are willing to increase their initial offer if Shakhtar are amenable to lowering their asking price. The Merseysiders do not want to pay over the odds, while the Donetsk outfit are averse to selling at a cut-price rate.
On Friday, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp insisted the club will not spend wildly. “We have money but we are not in Disneyland and say, 'Come on, take what you want'. We have a budget, we work with it, we have a lot of things to do,” he said.
"The club is building a stand, things like this, this is for the long-term development of the club. Don't stand still, don't only live for now. This is for the future."
Chelsea have also been linked with the prolific attacker, but have not made an official approach yet.
- Goal