We Ain't Got No History - Chelsea FC Transfer Rumors: Shakhtar Donetsk's Alex TeixeiraChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2016-02-04T21:29:06+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/95666252016-02-04T21:29:06+00:002016-02-04T21:29:06+00:00L'Equipe: Alex Teixeira sold to Jiangsu Suning
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<p>Looks like Ramires and Alex Teixeira will end up playing together after all ... just not at Chelsea!</p> <p>The 13th season of the Chinese Super League is set to get underway in a few weeks, as teams gear up to dethrone back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back champions Guangzhou Evergrande in what is their equivalent of the European <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors" class="sbn-auto-link">summer transfer window</a>. Combined with owners spending money on an unprecedented scale, it's not that surprising that most of the big moves for the European winter transfer window have involved Chinese Super League teams. Now, following the record-breaking transfers of Ramires and Jackson Martinez, it looks like China will beak the transfer record for Asian football a third time in just a few weeks, by gazumping both <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> and <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> for Alex Teixeira.</p>
<p>As we might recall, Shakhtar Donetsk were holding firm on the €50m asking price for Teixeira, which had eventually deterred Premier League interest over the course of January. But for Jiangsu Suning, who had already spent half as much for Ramires earlier, that's no problem. And while Teixeira himself had stated multiple times that it's his dream to play in the Premier League, for Chelsea or Liverpool or whoever was willing to fork out the money for him, it would seem that he might just end up going in the opposite direction, to the east.</p>
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<p>"It's true, we have sold in China."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Mircea Lucescu; source: <a href="http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Alex-teixeira-donetsk-en-chine-pour-50-m/631611">L'Equipe</a> via Google Translate</p>
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<p>That's Shakthar's coach apparently confirming the move to French paper L'Equipe Thursday night. Boom.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">Alex Teixeira (Donetsk) en Chine pour 50 M ! <a href="https://t.co/Wxc1IZWO6V">https://t.co/Wxc1IZWO6V</a> <a href="https://t.co/BRoAZIzV53">pic.twitter.com/BRoAZIzV53</a></p>
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) <a href="https://twitter.com/lequipe/status/695339953270628356">February 4, 2016</a>
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<p>The Chinese transfer window remains open for another three weeks (February 26). What more madness shall follow?</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/2/4/10918668/chelsea-liverpool-gazumped-by-china-for-alex-teixeiraDavid Pasztor2016-01-27T09:49:20+00:002016-01-27T09:49:20+00:00Shakhtar hold firm on €50m
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<p>Slight change of tune from the Shakhtar leadership, who were previously set on keeping Alex Teixeira until the end of the season, not wanting to jeopardize their Ukrainian Premier League and Europa League campaigns. But after Teixeira publicly declared that he's ready to leave now, his manager Mircea Lucescu has revealed that he won't stand in the way of the player's ambitions.</p>
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<p>"Our president knows when it is the time for Teixeira to go. I don't want to keep a player against his desire. He wants to play in a big championship."</p>
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<p>The one thing Shakhtar aren't budging on however is the asking price, which remains a solid €50m (£38m) as before. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> are finding this out quickly for themselves as well, having seen bids of £23m and £28m rejected.</p>
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<p>"He's worth €50m. He's incredible, very fast, very good technique. I compare him with other players of the same age who changed [the fortunes of] a club, Di Maria for example at Paris Saint-Germain. Teixeira can be at the same level, better even. He doesn't get injured, and every year he gets better and better."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Mircea Lucescu; source: <a href="http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/exclusive-lucescu-teixeira-worth-50m-euros#:ohVPQXLplQUkdA">FourFourTwo</a></p>
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<p>That Di Maria line has made an appearance before as well. Safe to say, it will indeed take at least €50m to grab Teixeira, who did not take part in yesterday's friendly probably due to a minor hamstring tweak. Can either <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> or Liverpool do it in the next six days? We are (probably) set for a nice windfall from the impending sale of Ramires...hmmm...</p>
<p>(Though, again, we've maintained all along that there will be no major signings this January, which does make sense if we're waiting to tailor the squad to whoever may be taking over as manager in the summer. Not to mention, even in these inflated times, €50m is a LOT of cash for someone not named, say, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/paul-pogba-transfer-rumours-news" class="sbn-auto-link">Paul Pogba</a>.)</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/1/27/10839724/alex-teixeira-chelsea-liverpool-shakhtar-transfer-rumorsDavid Pasztor2016-01-25T07:57:12+00:002016-01-25T07:57:12+00:00Sky: Alex Teixeira has chosen Liverpool
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<p>Uh-oh.</p> <p>After all the rumors and all the stories, all the hints and all the pleas, it suddenly seems like Chelsea might miss out on highly coveted Alex Teixeira. That's what "Sky sources", whoever and wherever they may be, are claiming.</p>
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<p>Alex Teixeira has told Shakhtar Donetsk he wants to join Liverpool, according to Sky sources.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-source: <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10142778/alex-teixeira-informs-shakhtar-he-wants-to-join-liverpool">Sky</a></p>
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<p>That preference seems to be based on Teixeira's friendship with Liverpool's collection of Brazil B-teamers; Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva are apparently "two of his best friends". Time for a charm offensive, Mr. Willian!</p>
<p>In all seriousness, missing out on the Shakhtar man after all the words about his supposed desire to come to Chelsea would be a bit disappointing. Especially if he ended up going to Liverpool. Obviously, we can't win all the transfer battles, we can't sign every single player, and not every plan with work out as we expect them to, but given the criticisms our front office have come under since Mourinho's sacking, this would surely be looked at as another massive failure.</p>
<p>On the other hand, as Sky's story also makes reference to, Shakhar were determined not to sell their goal-machine in the winter. With a tight race in the Ukrainian Premier League and designs on winning the Europa League, presumably they will reject this latest approach as well, perhaps even if Liverpool do pony up the €50m asking price. We had assumed this would eventually come to a summer bidding war. Klopp & Co. seem to be pushing to get it done in January. We still have time to act, but time's running out.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/1/25/10825560/chelsea-no-longer-in-pole-position-for-alex-teixeira-reportDavid Pasztor2016-01-21T10:27:43+00:002016-01-21T10:27:43+00:00Liverpool also bid for Alex Teixeira
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<p>As reported by both Tony Barrett of <i>The Times</i> and Paul Joyce of the <i>Daily Express</i>, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> have entered the Alex Teixeira race with a £24-25m bid (depending on which journalist you believe more).</p>
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<p>Liverpool have made an offer of £24 million for Alex Teixeira [...] Shakhtar value Teixeira at closer to €50 million (about £38.5 million).</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-source: <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/football/article4670513.ece">Times</a></p>
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<p>Liverpool value Teixeira at around £25million which equates to just over 30m euros. Shakhtar want nearer £39m (50m euros).</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-source: <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/636676/Liverpool-chief-jets-out-to-hijack-Chelsea-s-25million-move-for-Brazilian-star">Express</a></p>
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<p>Apparently, Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre flew to Florida to submit the bid in-person to Shakhtar at their mid-season winter camp. So he basically went all the way to Florida just to find out what we've already come to know over the last couple months: Shakhtar are not selling their goal-machine this January. In the summer, yes. Now, no. (So they claim, in any case.)</p>
<p>Teixeira had previously <a href="http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/11/27/9806690/chelsea-fc-juventus-psg-alex-teixeira-transfer-report-interview">confirmed offers from PSG and Juventus as well</a>, but he's expressed a very clear desire to fulfill his dream and play in the Premier League. Dreams do change of course (right, Douglas Costa?), so basically we should all just get ready for the bidding war coming up in the summer.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/1/21/10805492/liverpool-could-jeopardize-alex-teixeiras-chelsea-dreamDavid Pasztor2016-01-18T21:22:00+00:002016-01-18T21:22:00+00:00Alex Teixeira wants Brazil national team spot
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<p>The latest Brazilian off of Shakhtar Donetsk's assembly line of talent-growth is Alex Teixeira, who's having a rather ridiculously prolific goalscoring season, despite not actually playing as an out-and-out striker. He's currently fifth in Europe's Golden Shoe competition behind far more illustrious names like Higuain, Suarez, or Aubameyang.</p>
<p>Having turned 26 a couple weeks ago, matching the 26 goals he's scored in 25 games in all competitions so far this season, the time is now for him to fly the coop and make a name for himself in mainstream Europe. Shakhtar have seemingly accepted as much, though are not likely to let him go until the summer and then only for something well north of €30m. Still, Teixeira is unlikely to be short of suitors, one of whom is and will be Chelsea.</p>
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<p>"Chelsea? I'm very happy that they're interested. On my part, I do everything to continue improving."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Alex Teixeira; source: <a href="http://sportv.globo.com/site/programas/sportv-news/noticia/2016/01/alex-teixeira-ve-saida-do-shakhtar-como-fundamental-para-convocacao.html">Globo</a> via <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2016/01/18/19450402/-?">Goal</a></p>
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<p>Teixeira hopes his big money move will be the ticket to the Brazilian national team as well, just as it has been for the likes of Willian, Fernandinho, and Douglas Costa.</p>
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<p>"I want to be part of the Brazilian national team, so I may have to switch clubs."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Alex Teixeira; source: <a href="http://sportv.globo.com/site/programas/sportv-news/noticia/2016/01/alex-teixeira-ve-saida-do-shakhtar-como-fundamental-para-convocacao.html">Globo</a> via <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2016/01/18/19450402/-?">Goal</a></p>
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<p>Shakhtar and their huge contingent of Brazilians are current in Florida, preparing for the second half of the season, when they'll hope to hang on to top spot in the Ukrainian Premier League (only ahead on goal difference from Dynamo Kiev) and put together a strong run in the Europa League knockout rounds. Teixeira will be a key part of those campaigns, ahead of the summer's bidding war for his services.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/1/18/10786418/alex-teixeira-chelsea-transfer-rumors-updateDavid Pasztor2016-01-13T10:04:00+00:002016-01-13T10:04:00+00:00Hiddink rules out Rémy sale
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<p>A few more quotes form the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> interim boss ahead of the match against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a> later today, though they pertain more towards plans for the rest of the month, rather than the rest of the matchday.</p>
<p>Where they do intersect is at backup striker Loïc Rémy, who's back in training and perhaps ready to contribute once again. Rémy's had a decent enough goalscoring rate during his Chelsea career so far, though all his injuries have been rather ill-timed, which does make his time in the SW6 more frustrating than it otherwise should be.</p>
<p>Since his arrival, Hiddink has been emphasizing the personal evaluations he's making of all the players. He apparently likes what he sees with Rémy, too, and has no intention of selling the striker.</p>
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<p>"At this moment, no. He will stay until the end of the season."</p>
<p>"I'm curious. With this multitude of games I hope Remy picks it up. Although he was only in training this week I hope he will deliver if he is needed. We have Costa and him, so I hope they stay fit. That's why I hope he can make his next step and get even more fit."</p>
<p>"We must not go into this danger if something happens with one or two striker."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Guus Hiddink; source: <a href="http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/loic-remy-set-chelsea-stay-10725426?">Get West London</a></p>
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<p>One way to assure such "danger" doesn't occur is by bringing in a few January reinforcements. While reporters lobbed the names of Alex Teixeira and <span>Saido Berahino</span> at him, Hiddink remained resolutely mum or vague.</p>
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<p>"The window opens and the mouth shuts so we don't have interest in this moment."</p>
<p>"We are thinking. When you think, you don't speak normally. If, suppose something is going on, it can be harmful when you go public."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Guus Hiddink; source: <a href="http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/loic-remy-set-chelsea-stay-10725426?">Get West London</a></p>
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<p>Standard practice, really, perhaps reinforced by the all too public failures of the last couple years with <span>Wayne Rooney</span> and <span>John Stones</span> (and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/paul-pogba-transfer-rumours-news">Paul Pogba</a>, to a lesser extent). We'll just have to try to do our best to read between the tealeaves and figure what the club may or may not be up to. (For example, despite the reassuring words, Rémy's immediate future could very well depend on any surprise January signings we may yet make.)</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/1/13/10759404/loic-remy-alex-teixeira-saido-berahino-chelsea-transfer-rumorsDavid Pasztor2015-12-12T11:17:15+00:002015-12-12T11:17:15+00:00Teixeira talks ongoing, but 'nothing concrete'
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<p>Alex Teixeira's move away from Shakhar Donetsk and closer to the bright European limelight is slowly making progress. While Shakhtar do claim that they will not sell in January, given the amount of activity surrounding a potential move for Teixeira, it would not be surprising to see the 25-year-old change his workplace in the next month or so.</p>
<p><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> have been linked for some time now, alongside both the Italian and French champions, with the latter bringing up the rear in terms of leading the race for the goal-machine's signature. Incidentally, Teixeira was just in Paris with the rest of his teammates on the final matchday of the Champions League group stage, losing 2-0 and dropping into the Europa League. Teixeira was kept off the scorehseet, but with 22 league goals to his name already, <a href="http://www.eurotopfoot.com/gb/soulierdor.php3">he sits second in the race for the Golden Shoe</a>, just one point behind BVB's Aubameyang.</p>
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<p>"I know that there is interest on their part. There have been talks but nothing concrete at this point. For the moment what interests me is going on holiday to Brazil, and we will see what the future holds for us."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Alex Teixeira; source: <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/626088/PSG-Alex-Teixeira-Transfer-News-Gossip">Express</a></p>
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<p>The Ukrainian league has already begun its winter break after last weekend, so Teixeira isn't scheduled to play again until March. Though maybe he should not enjoy his vacation too much, just in case he does have to report back a bit earlier for the English, German, or French league.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/12/9958002/alex-teixeira-provides-update-on-chelsea-juventus-psg-transfer-talksDavid Pasztor2015-12-08T06:44:33+00:002015-12-08T06:44:33+00:00Lucescu: Teixeira's value is €50m
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<p>Shakhtar Donetsk's free-scoring sensation Alex Teixeira is a hotly rumored transfer target for Chelsea, and I'm sure many other big clubs as well. At latest check, the 25-year-old is up to 22 goals in the league (26 in 25 appearances in all competitions), creating basically a name-your-own price situation for the Ukranian league leaders.</p>
<p>That price was previously rumored to be in the £30m (€40m) range — with several suitors lining up and submitting bids — but it would appear that his manager rates him a fair bit higher than that.</p>
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<p>"Alex is now worth more than 40 million. I think at the end of the season - were [he] to continue with this performance - his value is 50 million euro. If [he] were playing in a league more competitive, [his] transfer would be at the same level as that of Di Maria."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Mircea Lucescu; source: <a href="http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/europa/shakhtar-donetsk-lucescu-alex-teixeira-vale-piu-di-40-milioni-di-euro-763899">TuttoMercatoWeb</a> via Google Translate</p>
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<p>Well, obviously, if he had 22 goals in 15 Premier League appearances, his price would certainly be higher than if he had 22 goals in the Ukrainian league. That's a given. But maybe Di Maria isn't the best comparison, given his not so happy season at Manchester United.</p>
<p>In any case, Teixeira's asking price seems to have just gone up a cool 25%. Considering that Shakhtar don't really want to sell him in January, at least we have time to save up for the bidding war.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/8/9870174/alex-teixeira-chelsea-transfer-rumors-increased-asking-priceDavid Pasztor