SWANS MAY MISS OUT IN ALLEN BID
STOKE City have confirmed they are in talks with Joe Allen over a new contract at the club. The midfielder’s current deal with the Potters expires this summer, meaning he is able to leave the bet365 Stadium for free. However, Michael O’Neill’s side have announced that they are working on a deal to extend Allen’s stay in Staffordshire.
WalesOnline revealed earlier this month that Swansea City are keen to re-sign the Wales international, a decade on from his move away from the club to Liverpool.
Speaking after his side’s loss to Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2021/22 season, Russell Martin admitted he would love to bring Allen back to the Swansea.com Stadium.
“He loves this club, I love him as a player,” said the head coach. “I will say it. I would love to [sign him]. We’ll have to wait and see.”
However, given the club’s financial situation, Swansea need to free up funds before they can get their planned signings over the line.
Speaking at a fans’ forum earlier this month, Martin admitted the Swans need to trim their squad – with Jay Fulton and Liam Walsh in the frame to leave – before they can make a swoop for Allen.
“I don’t think there’s a gap in the squad for Joe Allen,” Martin told BBC Sport Wales. “There may be a gap in the squad [in the future] and he is one person who we would definitely be interested in to fill it.
“But at the moment I think it would be a difficult one. It’s whether we can interest Joe enough to wait. There are going to be lots of interest and I will just be one of a number of managers who will be interested. So much in football is timing and opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Portsmouth are weighing up a potential move for Swansea forward Morgan Whittaker.
WalesOnline revealed earlier this month that Pompey are keen to sign Kyle Joseph. And The News report that the League One side are also considering a swoop for his Swansea team-mate Whittaker.
The attacker spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Lincoln City, scoring five times in 20 appearances for The Imps. It’s understood the Swans are wiling to offload both Whittaker and Joseph in a bid to free up funds to pursue transfer targets this summer.