The London Evening Standard tends not to overindulge in hyperbole where it comes to the transfer business of London clubs.
So it’s a good reference point for Chelsea fans who want to decant the truth from the tabloid tosh in terms of possible targets.
And the publication today states that Jose Mourinho’s club will have to part with upwards of £30m if they want to sign one of their ‘main targets’ in January.
Chelsea have been told by Shakhtar Donetsk that it will take a bid in excess of £30million to sign Alex Teixeira.
Teixeira is one of the Blues’ main targets for the January transfer window as they look to recover from their worst-ever start to a campaign.
Last month, Teixeira confirmed he would be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge, saying: “I have an offer, it was a pleasure to know that Chelsea want to sign me. It would be great if the transfer happens in January.”
Realistically, Chelsea are not going to make major changes in the winter window. It’s very difficult to add to the squad with A-listers as the vast majority are heavily involved with their own clubs, who are themselves usually apprehensive about selling in January.
But Teixeira possibly represents a gettable target.
With two rounds to play in Champions League Group A, Shaktar are 4 points behind PSG and 7 behind Real Madrid – both of whom are now red hot favourites to progress to the knockout phase.
The elimination of the Ukrainian club may make them more amenable to the transfer of a player who has scored 21 goals in 22 games this season. Remarkable statistics for a player who is certainly not a conventional striker.
Indeed, the former Brazil U20 international is more of an attacking midfielder by trade but would surely increase Chelsea’s goal output, with front line strikers Diego Costa, Lois Remy and Radamel Falcao all underperforming so far this season.
The 5ft 8in 25 year old looks ready made for The Premier League with his pace, low centre of gravity and decent build.
TFF believes that, even after this terrible start to the campaign which sees them 13 points off 4th place after just 12 games, Chelsea will get close to the top four by May.
And the addition of Teixeira would only help their cause.
You can see some of his highlights here.