Dalglish gets his man as Adam quits Seasiders for better Kop at Pool
The Reds boss twice tried to sign the Scotland international in January only to have an offer of £6.5m (€7.2m) rejected as the Seasiders held on to their prized asset.
It was hoped keeping Adam would help safeguard their Premier League future but when relegation came in May the 25-year-old, with only 12 months left on his contract, told the club Anfield was his preferred destination this summer.
After several weeks of negotiations both parties have settled on an acceptable valuation — Blackpool were reportedly holding out for £9m — and the player just has to pass his medical.
As part of the agreement Blackpool are likely to receive at least one fringe player. Adam will be Dalglish’s second signing of the summer to strengthen an area of the squad — central midfield — which was already overcrowded following Jordan Henderson’s £16m move from Sunderland.
Alberto Aquilani, who spent last season on loan at Juventus only for the Serie A club to reject the option of signing him permanently, and Christian Poulsen, a fringe figure since Dalglish took charge in January, appear the most vulnerable in any squad cull with forward Milan Jovanovic also on his way out after a disappointing debut season.
With captain Steven Gerrard set to return for the new season after a groin operation, Lucas Leiva and Jay Spearing both having signed long-term contracts in the last few months and last summer’s arrival Raul Meireles impressing in spells there is ample competition in Liverpool’s engine room.
Where Dalglish needs to strengthen now is down the left-hand side, in particular, with Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing now a target.
And Argentinian international defender Emiliano Insua, one of those players farmed out on loan by former boss Roy Hodgson last summer, has expressed his desire to reignite his Liverpool career. The Argentina international returned to Melwood for pre-season training after spending last season at Galatasaray.
Also staying at Anfield is 26-year-old England international full-back Glen Johnson, who yesterday signed an extension to his existing contract.
