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.