Liverpool Transfer News: 3rd Alex Teixeira Bid Made, Latest Joel Matip Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly had a third bid for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira rejected.

According to Marc Williams in the Daily Star, the Reds have been left disappointed again after Shakhtar turned down their latest £31 million bid for the Brazilian star.

Liverpool made two previous offers of £25 million and £28 million.

The report indicates that the Ukrainian outfit are holding out for £38 million, despite Teixeira recently having unequivocally stated he wants to leave the club:

"

It would be an honour to defend the Liverpool shirt.

Yes, it’s correct I want to go there, it’s a huge club and so many great players have passed through there. 

But there has only been one offer of €32 million and Shakhtar rejected it. It is frustrating but the manager and club president decided against it so now I am just waiting, trying to be patient.

"

Liverpool's interest in Teixeira, 26, is unsurprising given that he has netted a staggering 22 league goals in 15 appearances this season, per WhoScored.com. 

But it seems Shakhtar will not let him go for any less than they believe he is worth, and it is now up to Liverpool to decide whether they will meet the asking price.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe recently analysed where Teixeira may fit in at Liverpool, if they eventually sign him:

He could be very effective playing in the No. 10 role, but he is also comfortable on the flanks and thus could offer manager Jurgen Klopp some variety in his attacking formations.

The concern from Liverpool over meeting Teixeira's hefty price tag is that he is not proven in the Premier League, or in any of Europe's major divisions.

However, Shakhtar have previously produced a number of stars who have gone on to excel elsewhere, per German football expert Clark Whitney:

Teixeira would be an exciting addition to the Reds squad, but Liverpool are clearly going to have to shell out if they are serious about signing him up.

Elsewhere, the Reds have reportedly held "positive talks" with Schalke centre-back Joel Matip over a potential £6 million move in the current window, per German outlet Der Western (via Metro's Jamie Sanderson).

It was recently reported that Liverpool had made an offer for the Cameroon international, whose contract at Schalke expires in the summer, per Kaveh Solhekol of Germany's Sky Sports News:

Schalke boss Clemens Tonnies has denied the offer, calling it "a duck," meaning it is false, per Sport1 (via Williams in the Daily Star). 

However, given Liverpool's long-term defensive issues, and their recent injury problems in the centre-back region, it would be no surprise if they were indeed pursuing Matip.

While he is only 24, he is vastly experienced following seven seasons playing in the Bundesliga.

Matip would be a big presence in the Liverpool back line and could perhaps provide some solidity that has long been lacking.