South Wales club Swansea City have reportedly added yet another former player to their priority list this summer in Stoke City’s Joe Allen with Gylfi Sigurdsson’s big money move to Everton on the verge of competition. The Swans have even made an official enquiry about the availability of the playmaker with the Potters rejecting it.
Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes told Radio Stoke, “Swansea did enquire but we told them quite firmly we are not interested in any kind of sale. They made an enquiry, they’re a decent club, we told them we aren’t interested and that should be the end of the matter. Joe had a good season and we’re hoping he will have an even better season this time.”
Since the 27-year-old left Liverpool last summer, Swansea have been desperate to get him back and were frustrated to lose him to the Potters. Swansea had stalled over a fee of around £10 million for the midfielder at the end of last season following loan enquiries.
Manager Paul Clement did all he could to hold on to Sigurdsson and wouldn’t be too sad to fetch £50 million to let him go. Apparently, Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony remains a top target for them too as they look to get back their pieces together.
However, Sigurdsson’s departure would mean Allen remains the first priority and if his recent form is considered he will be a brilliant acquisition. The Pembrokeshire playmaker has had a productive season with the country as well as the club, last campaign. Following his heroics with Wales in the European Championships, Allen was one of the few positives for Mark Hughes at the bet365 stadium.
Clement would want his services high up on the field as well behind his mercurial forward Fernando Llorente and could be his third signing of the season after bringing in Roque Mesa from La Liga side USD Las Palmas and Erwin Mulder from SC Heerenveen (free transfer).
An academy product of Swansea City, Allen had to spend a short loan stint with National League Welsh side Wrexham AFC before he broke into their first team. Four impressive seasons with them, where he played a major role in promoting them to the Premier League, had Liverpool came calling in 2012.
The next four years in Anfield weren’t quite memorable as he failed to make any sort of impression before Stoke City picked him up. He snatched six goals and managed three assists for Stoke last season, finally getting a hold on the league.
