Swansea City have reportedly tabled a £7 million offer for Blackpool winger and Liverpool target Thomas Ince. The 20-year-old left the Reds' academy to join the Tangerines for £250,000 in 2011. The Merseyside outfit are understood to have failed with an initial £5m bid in their efforts to bring the England U-21 international back to Anfield.

Tom Ince
blackpoolfc.co.uk

With a revised offer yet to be made by Liverpool, Swansea are now attempting take advantage of the situation and hijack the transfer by tabling an increased bid for the youngster, according to talkSport.

Ince, whose contract with Blackpool runs out in the summer, has 13 goals and 10 assists to his name from 24 Championship appearances this season. The player, who can operate either in the centre or on the left of midfield, recently dismissed talk of a transfer and insisted his focus was on performing well for his club.

"My future right now is here. I'm a Blackpool player, I'm contracted to Blackpool and I'll continue to give 100 per cent for this team. I don't only do it for myself and for the fans but I do it for my team-mates. These lads are a great bunch of lads. The team spirit in this team is fantastic," Ince told The Sun.

Rodgers: I've Helped Reds Trio Improve

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers claims he has succeeded in adding value to Reds' stars Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson. The Northern Irishman, who took charge at Anfield from Swansea last summer, feels the performances of the trio, who joined the club last season, have improved considerably of late.

"You look at Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique since the start of the season and we have added value back to them. Absolutely," Rodgers said.

"That is the job of the manager and the coach, as well as winning games. My job is to improve players in every aspect of their game. You have to work with the players you have and I have done that throughout my life," the 39-year-old added.