South Wales Evening Post

Don’t miss out on Joe

TUDUR JONES’ WARNING TO SWANS

- TOM COLEMAN Football Writer tom.coleman@walesonlin­e.co.uk

OWAIN Tudur Jones has warned Swansea City they will be passing up a “massive opportunit­y” if they decide against a deal for midfielder Joe Allen, adding the former Liverpool man could well be willing to take a big pay cut to complete a move back to his boyhood club.

As exclusivel­y revealed by Walesonlin­e, the Swans are keen to bring the Wales internatio­nal back to SA1 this summer, and have already been in contact over a potential move. However, it’s understood they are one of as many as 12 clubs to have taken an interest.

Allen himself is believed to be open to a return to south Wales, but a stay at Stoke City hasn’t yet been ruled out, with the player meeting with the Potters this week to discuss his future. There’s also believed to be interest from Spain.

But former Wales internatio­nal Jones believes former team-mate Allen would be open to a return to the Swans, before appearing to imply that the 32-year-old would be willing to take a significan­t pay cut should Swansea decide to press ahead with a move.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cymru, Jones said: “Swansea are going to get the chance to get Joe, potentiall­y on a quarter of his wages, and he’s happy to do that.

“So, if the club decides to say ‘no we’re not going to give it the go-ahead’, well, come on.

“It’s more than just what Joe can actually do on the field. He’s not the most passionate in terms of giving speeches and bringing out the best of people in that way, it’s more about how he behaves, how he speaks to people personally.

“But it’s more than that as well because of the feeling around the club, they’ll sell shirts.

“They’re going to miss a massive opportunit­y if they don’t act on this.”

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