If Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa all wanted to sign you, who would you choose?

That was the question asked of Charlie Adam in 2011, but there was never any doubt about where he wanted to go.

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The former midfielder starred for Blackpool and was nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in the 2010/11 campaign.

And following the Seasiders’ relegation from the Premier League that season, Adam became a target for some of the country’s top clubs.

Liverpool was one of the clubs that showed interest, and in July 2011, Charlie Adam arrived at Anfield to join fellow Scotsman Kenny Dalglish, under whom Jordan Henderson, the future captain, also signed.

The opportunity to join the Reds was something Adam could not pass up. He has since disclosed that he turned down offers from both Aston Villa and Tottenham to make the switch.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, the now 38-year-old said: “I did have a couple of options to speak to clubs.

“I once met [the late Villa manager] Gerard Houllier who for me was a very, very top manager. He spoke really well.

“I also had the opportunity to go to Tottenham on the last day of one of the windows as well. 

“They were the two clubs that were coming in for me then. 

“But when I knew Liverpool were interested, it was the club I wanted to go to. A huge club with a great fanbase, unbelievable supporters. 

“And a squad that was full of top international players that played at a very, very high level. 

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“I was very fortunate enough to have the honour of playing for Liverpool.” 

He explained: “When you look at the club’s history, the legendary players, and their accomplishments over the years, everything about the football club was connected to greatness.”

“It was such a special club to be part of just for the one season and I love going back to Anfield.

“I think it’s one of the top stadiums and a great place to go and watch a game.”

Adam would go on to spend a year at Liverpool playing alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, making 37 appearances.

A move to Stoke then materialised and he managed to settle there, becoming a key man for the Potters in the Premier League.

He spent seven years at the club and totted up more than 150 appearances before leaving in 2019 at the age of 33.

And it was after that exit that when Adam was offered another transfer twist that unfortunately he couldn’t pursue.

“I didn’t have any offers from abroad after Liverpool but when I was leaving Stoke I had an opportunity to go to Australia to play,” he said.

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“But it was just before the pandemic and the kids and family couldn’t come for six months. 

“So it was going to be very difficult for me to do that. It was something I looked at but I ended up going to Reading. 

“And it was a great option and I loved my time there with great people.” 

Now, after retiring from football, he is in his first managerial role as Fleetwood Town boss in League Two.

Adam joined the Cod Army last campaign but experienced relegation down to the fourth tier.

The club kept faith in the former Liverpool man though, and now he is aiming to lead them back up the Football League.

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