Liverpool close on Adam and Downing

Adam has also been linked with Manchester United and Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

After a strong finish to last season and the £20m recruitment of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland earlier this summer, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is nearing further captures as he seeks to maintain the forward momentum he has brought to the club.

Moves for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing, of Aston Villa, are both nearing completion. Adam, who scored in Blackpool's victory at Liverpool last season, has also been linked with Manchester United and Tottenham, but the Scotland international is expected to finalise a £8m transfer today, with Jonjo Shelvey moving to Bloomfield Road on a season-long loan.

Downing could follow Adam to Anfield after just two seasons at Villa Park. The England winger will hand in a transfer request, a week after seeing team-mate Ashley Young sold to Manchester United.

One player who could be on his way out of Merseyside is midfielder Raul Meireles, who has failed to agree terms on an extension to his contract. The 28-year-old was an integral part of the revival under Dalglish, finishing last season with five goals in 20 games.

The chances of Roma striker Mirko Vucinic moving to Blackburn Rovers appear slim, with the player's agent, Alessandro Lucci, claiming his client deserves a "more prestigious club".

"I have not heard anything," Lucci said on reports of Blackburn making a move. "For now it's on standby because first we want to understand the intentions of Roma. Blackburn talk is just a rumour. It is a respectable club but I think Mirko deserves a more prestigious club."

Along with Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus, Tottenham have been linked with the Montenegro international in a possible swap for midfielder Sandro. Blackburn may now turn their attentions to Freiburg's Papiss Cissé.

David de Gea's move to Manchester United is expected to be wrapped up this week after the Athletico Madrid goalkeeper helped the Spain Under-21 side secure the European championship on Saturday.