Reds step up pace in Adam bid

LIVERPOOL'S pursuit of Charlie Adam is gathering pace after Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston confirmed they had held 'preliminary discussions' regarding the midfielder.

Kenny Dalglish is a long-time admirer of Adam, and made a concerted effort to sign the 25-year-old back in January, only to be thwarted by Blackpool's £12m asking price.

But with the Tangerines having been relegated from the Premier League last month, and with club captain Adam having informed the club of his wish to leave this summer, a move to Anfield is very much back on the agenda - though both Aston Villa and Tottenham have also expressed an interest in the Scotland international.

Blackpool have offered Adam an improved one-year contract, but are understood to be resigned to losing their skipper for around £8m, with up to 15% of any fee due to former club Rangers.

And Oyston has confirmed that discussions have been held with a number of clubs, and hinted that Adam had been approached without his club's permission.

"We've had a few discussions this summer but nothing conclusive so really there is nothing to report," said Oyston.

"Are the reports wide of the mark? I'm sure that football clubs have talks with lots of players all summer that they probably shouldn't do.

"I'm sure that goes on. If January is anything to go by that is certainly the case.

"It is always difficult (when speculation starts)."

Adam's form last season was good enough to propel him onto the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award, which was eventually won by Tottenham's Gareth Bale. His 13 goals in all competitions saw him lead the Seasiders' to within 12 minutes of top-flight survival, but they succumbed following a final day defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Asked whether Liverpool were one of the clubs to have made an approach, Oyston added: "We've had a few very preliminary discussions and enquiries but nothing of any substance so there really is nothing to report at this stage about interest from anyone."

Meanwhile, Dalglish remains in the hunt for Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham, but the Suffolk club have slapped a reported £12m price-tag on the 18-year-old's head.

Arsenal retain an interest in the 6ft 3in England under-21 forward, but it is believed that Wickham would favour a move to Anfield. Liverpool are yet to make a formal offer.

Elsewhere, young academy starlets Adam Morgan and Jack Dunn were both on target for England under-17s, as they recorded a 5-4 win over the Ivory Coast in a warm-up for this summer's World Cup.

Tyrell Belford, Matty Regan, Raheem Sterling and Brad Smith are also in John Peacock's squad for the tournament, which begins in Mexico later this month.

Source: Liverpool Daily Post

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