Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Deal for Charlie Adam, Still Chasing Stewart Downing

Liverpool FC has a lot of improvements to make to the squad that finished sixth last season, and now that the international transfer window is officially open and training camp has begun, expect plenty of signings.

Kenny Dalglish and the Reds have been linked to almost every player so far this summer, and they look sure to add more players after signing England youngster Jordan Henderson last month.

Charlie Adam, a long-time target of the Reds, is very close to smiling with Kenny in front of the "This is Anfield" sign, but he's not the only one the Reds are after.

And not all the players who showed up at Melwood this week will be there when Sunderland come to Anfield on Aug. 13. 

Let's take a look at the hottest Liverpool transfer rumors of the day. 

Liverpool Agrees Deal for Charlie Adam

Liverpool began chasing Charlie Adam in January, but Ian Holloway and Blackpool wouldn't let him go.

Now, after months of speculation and after challenging rumored bids from Tottenham and Manchester United, Adam is finally on his way to Liverpool after agreeing a deal thought to be around £7 million possibly with a Liverpool player going the other way.

The Scottish midfielder will now complete a medical and personal terms to finalize the deal likely by the end of the week.  

Adam was one of the Premier League's breakout stars last season as he led Blackpool on a surprising run up the table in the first half of last season.

The 25-year-old central midfielder was vital to the Tangerines as when he missed games due to injury or suspension, the team looked lost, and the magic eventually wore off as the Seasiders were relegated.

Adam is the second central midfielder to join Liverpool this summer, though he will likely see more early action than 20-year-old Jordan Henderson. 

Adam's set pieces, especially corner kicks, will be a welcome addition to Liverpool, and his bossing of the midfield and distribution will help Liverpool make something of their possession. 

Reds' Second Bid for Stewart Downing Rejected

With Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson joining Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and more, the center of midfield is covered at Liverpool. 

Kenny Dalglish will now likely turn his attention to signing Aston Villa's Stewart Downing having already seen two bids fail. 

Bids of £12 million and £15 million respectively have been turned down by the Villains for the 26-year-old English winger.

Downing has two years left on his contract, but he has refused to discuss an extension and reportedly wants to leave after seeing Ashley Young go to Manchester United last month.

Liverpool have lacked any real width for a couple of years, and it has hurt their play and scoring ability. With big-man Andy Carroll now in the middle of the box, having players on the wings to supply crosses is now even more crucial.

Arsenal are also interested in Downing, who is set to have talks with new Villa boss Alex McLeish this week. 

Downing may have to submit a transfer request if he really wants to leave, but those don't always work.

Having already lost Young, Villa is holding out for a fee of about £19 million for Downing. Juan Mata of Valencia is a reported backup in case Kenny decides to abandon his pursuit of Downing.

Lyon winger Michel Bastos is another rumored target, and he would be quite an asset as he can play as a left-back or left winger. 

Liverpool Needs a Left-Back

The most dire position in the Liverpool squad is without doubt the left-back position, which hasn't been stable since John Arne Riise left three years ago.

Fabio Aurelio is too often injured, and Paul Konchesky didn't work and has very little chance of staying at Anfield next year.

Gael Clichy of Arsenal has gone to Manchester City, leaving Newcastle's Jose Enrique as the most likely target, though Arsenal now need a left-back as well.

Jose Enrique has been thought to leave Newcastle all summer with two years left on his contract.

However, the 25-year-old is now reportedly an interest of Spanish and European champions Barcelona.

With youngster Martin Kelly impressing on the right, Glen Johnson was equally efficient on the left, but that would leave the Reds with no real cover in the position. 

Center-back Daniel Agger is naturally left-footed and has filled in on the left, but he is also prone to injury. 

An established left-back is a must before the season gets underway in August, and though no real news has come through recently, that doesn't mean Kenny Dalglish won't find his man. 

Christian Poulsen, Alberto Aquilani, Joe Cole, More Still at Liverpool for Now

With the impending signing of Charlie Adam and more expected, several Liverpool players should be shown the door before the summer ends. 

Christian Poulsen was signed by Roy Hodgson last summer and failed to impress, and he was rarely used under Kenny Dalglish. There is little chance he is still around come August, and he may be used as part of a deal to bring in other players. 

Alberto Aquilani spent last year on loan at Juventus after a disappointing first season at Liverpool and was hoping to make the deal permanent. However, Juventus came under new management earlier in the summer, and the deal fell through.

Reds fans are split over who to keep between Aquilani and Raul Meireles, who was one of Liverpool's best performers under Kenny, and it certainly seems like the club can't keep both. 

Meireles, however, is the one who has been mentioned more in swap deals. Keeping both wouldn't be the worst thing the world, but it makes the center of midfield very crowded with not a lot of cover on the wings. 

Joe Cole had a miserable first season at Liverpool. He was thought to be a target of Harry Redknapp and Tottenham earlier in the summer, but no official bids were lodged.

He could now be used to try to bring Stewart Downing to Liverpool. 

Backup striker David N'Gog was originally thought to be going to Sunderland either as part of the Jordan Henderson deal or after, but he is now also a target of both Aston Villa and Fulham. 

N'Gog was a capable backup striker who was almost always a good substitution despite not being a reliable starter.

Maxi Rodriguez has said he wants to return to Argentina, though nothing has developed from there.

Danny Wilson came over from Rangers last summer, but 19-year-old rarely featured, and his old club apparently wants him back.

A loan deal would not be horrible for Liverpool, as they re-signed Sotorios Kyrgiakos, but with Jamie Carragher getting older and Daniel Agger often battling injury, some insurance in central defense is a must.