Chelsea Transfer News: Alex Teixeira Warning Dealt, Oscar Rumours Re-Emerge

Chelsea have been warned that if they don’t close a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Alex Teixeira in January, then they’ll have to fork out a lot more to secure his services in the future.  

The Brazilian has been a standout performer for the Ukrainian outfit this term, and coach Mircea Lucescu says his value will rocket by €10 million by the end of the campaign, per Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard: "Alex is now worth more than €40 million (£28.9 million). I think at the end of the season—were he to continue with this performance - his value is €50 million (£36.1 million). If he were playing in a league more competitive, his transfer would be at the same level as that of [Angel] Di Maria."

It’s not difficult to see why the Shakhtar coach rates his star man so highly, as he’s been in irresistible form in 2015/16.

According to WhoScored.com, Teixeira has scored 27 goals in 27 league and cup games so far, including three in the Champions League from six appearances. Here's a reminder of why Chelsea are so interested in him:

Such form hasn’t gone unnoticed, either, as the player himself confirmed to Brazilian outlet Lance! that Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also chasing his signature. However, the Premier League remains Teixeira’s ideal destination (via Will Giles of Metro):

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What I saw and what my manager said was that Chelsea, Juventus and PSG made ​​proposals. I’m glad to have received the proposal of Chelsea as they are a big club in Europe, but my manager will sort that. It’s my dream, I have spoken to many people who have the desire to play in the Premier League, because I think it’s the best World Championship, most competitive.

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Competition won’t just be fierce in the league itself but also at Stamford Bridge if Teixeira decides to make the switch, as he’ll have to displace the talented likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian.

Still, the 25-year-old added that working with manager Jose Mourinho is a big lure, and although the transfer may not go ahead as soon as January, he hopes to be under the Portuguese boss’ wing sooner rather than later: “For January, I believe it is very difficult because it is in the middle of the championship. Shakhtar has said they will not release me in January, only at the end of the season. But I’m with a clear head. I hope he does not leave Chelsea now. I want to work with him and have great success at his side.”

The ball is now in Mourinho’s court. If he’s serious about wanting Teixeira, then he needs to go all out to land him. A bid of around £30 million should be enough to get him to Stamford Bridge.

SERGEI SUPINSKY/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Tuttosport claim that Serie A champions Juventus have stepped up their interest in Blues midfielder Oscar, as reported by Alex Wood of the Daily Star.

Wood writes that Juve have been interested in the Brazilian midfielder for some time now, yet Chelsea’s poor form and potential lack of Champions League football next term could finally give them the chance to pounce.

January could prove a very important month for Chelsea. While performances do seem to be improving, boosting the squad will give them a strong platform from which to build.

Bringing in a player of Teixeira’s calibre would be nothing but a good thing for the Blues, yet they must hold on to their prize assets at the same time. Mourinho is more than aware of that; it’s just a case of whether or not he’ll still be in charge to implement it.