Liverpool face stiff competition in their bid to resign England Under-21 international Tom Ince with Blackpool boss Michael Appleton confirming there are interests in the winger from a "couple of clubs".
Ince, 20, is wanted by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers as he looks to bolster his attacking line-up in the new year with reports claiming a £6million deal was in the offing.
Ince left Anfield just 18 months ago in a £250,000 deal, but is now being lined up for a return after dazzling for Blackpool this season with 13 goals in the Championship.
His pace and ability to play across the forward line has caught the eye of Rodgers who admitted recently he is aiming to bring two attacking players to Liverpool in January.
Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Ince in recent weeks and are known to have dispatched scouts to watch him in action for England Under-21s in their recent win over their Northern Irish counterparts.
Ex-United midfielder Appleton has done little to quell the speculation that Liverpool or his former club are in the running for Ince's signature by confirming Blackpool have opened dialogue with two clubs over the sale of Ince.
"There have been no bids as far as I'm aware," said Appleton. "I think there have been conversations with a couple of clubs and the chairman, but nothing concrete. No-one has come in yet and set the marker in terms of a price."
Ince, the son of former United and Liverpool Paul, was the subject of a failed bid by Swansea and recently said he was in no rush to leave Bloomfield Road having established himself as a key player for the club.
Appleton admits if the youngster is tempted away it will be a huge blow to the club, who currently lie 11th in the Championship table, four points outside the play-off spots.
He said: "If the worst did happen in January, and we did lose Tom, then we have to make sure we have replacements ready. They will have to fill some very big shoes."
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