Exclusive: Chelsea set to make £30million swoop for Brazilian goal machine

Teixeira has been in prolific form for Shakhtar Donetsk

CHELSEA are ready to launch a £30million bid for Shakhtar Donetsk hot shot Alex Teixeira in January to spark their season into life.

 

Blues owner Roman Abramovich will give to go ahead for a spending spree in January, after a disastrous first half of the season which has seen Chelsea blow any realistic hope of retaining the title.

Chelsea need goals, with Diego Costa so far netting only four this season and Brazilian Teixeira, 25, has scored 23 goals in 23 games this season for Shakhtar.

He is more of an attacking midfielder than an out-and-out striker but Chelsea have been monitoring him for some time now and believe that playing just behind Costa, he could be the key to unlocking the goals in their centre forward.

 

Chelsea have also looked at West Brom striker Saido Berahino, as well as Atletico Madrid front man Antoine Griezmann but the latter is not likely to be available until the summer.

Boca Juniors £10m rated prolific young striker Jonathan Calleri is another target but Inter Milan are also interested in a player who qualifies for an Italian passport .

Everton defender John Stones is set to be the target of another bid, after Chelsea failed to land him in the summer, as could Paris Saint-Germain centre back Marquinhos.

 

Chelsea are also expected to renew their pursuit of Everton and England defender John Stones