Why Swans could seriously regret it if they fail to make a move for ace Allen
After Swansea’s flirting, it now looks like they’ve allowed someone else to make the first real move in the courting of Joe Allen.
It should come as no surprise that, after his outstanding Euro 2016 performances, Allen’s situation at Liverpool would prompt at least one of the Swans’ Premier League rivals to lodge a bid for the midfielder.
And, for all Jurgen Klopp’s flattering words of admiration with regard to the Pembrokeshire playmaker, the fact the Anfield outfit are thought to have accepted Stoke’s £13m offer for Allen makes it clear that the Reds boss would sanction the Wales star’s exit this summer. Whether Mark Hughes gets his man is another thing, but the Potters’ substantial bid looks to have forced the issue somewhat.
And, quite frankly, Swansea would be daft not to respond.
It is not yet clear what Allen’s current thoughts on the situation are. The 26-year-old is known to have grown frustrated at a lack of regular starts at Liverpool and his displays in France will have only reassured him he is right to seek either Klopp’s backing or a move from Merseyside.
However, he is enjoying a deserved break following his tournament experience and is unlikely to be in any rush over a decision on whether to entertain the idea of quitting Liverpool for Stoke and a crucial next step in his career.
The information before the Euros kicked off was that Allen would be keen on a return to Swansea, perhaps even more so when it emerged that Brendan Rodgers would not be heading back to the Liberty as boss; not because there had been a fallout with the Northern Irishman but the wariness of following Rodgers for the second time in his career having struggled to shake off a tag of being a ‘manager’s favourite’ during his time at Liverpool.
Whether that openness of a move to Swansea is enough to turn down other offers, only Allen can say. The player is in a position of strength given he still has a year to go on his Liverpool contract and presumably is under no real pressure to accept the first deal that comes his way.
Regardless, any Swansea hope of sitting back and watching events play out may be a foolish one now Stoke have set the ball rolling.
Swansea are known to have made contact with Liverpool but would possibly see this new price tag – just £2m less than they sold the youthteam product for in 2012 – as too rich for a player available on a free in less than a year’s time.
Throw in that Francesco Guidolin has a number of bodies in midfield and a worrying lack of credible options in attack and it would be understandable if the budget needs to be aimed a striker rather than another midfielder.
But it is difficult not to feel that Swansea would end up regretting it should they not at least try and match rival offers and show both Liverpool and Allen that they are serious about getting him back where he belongs.
It would not just be a signing for this season but for the long-term, a player whose maturity of performances in France showed he is now far more than the reliable player of play-making potential that left four years ago.
He is a captain of the future, a player who has ‘the Swansea Way’ stamped through his game, one of on-the-ball comfort and off-the-ball tenacity.
He makes players around him better, his quick transitions bringing the best out of others.
He can dictate the tempo of matches and will ensure that the game Swansea need to play to thrive pans out.
He showed in the Euros that his attacking instinct can hurt teams – be it the nutmeg of Wayne Rooney, the surging runs forward or the brilliant pass for Aaron Ramsey against Russia – while his dogged discipline helps a defence.
In a side that still relied on the quick feet and quick thinking of the soon-to-be 34-year-old Leon Britton last year, he is the natural heir to his influential midfield throne. Quite simply, he would make Swansea City a better team.
The way Allen plays means there are not a huge amount of options – on these shores at least – that would suit his game and make sure he can be the player all of Wales knows he can be. Swansea is one of them.
After the flirting for a player the Liberty loves, Swansea would regret it if they don’t at least make a move.