ALLEN IN KEY TALKS ON HIS FUTURE

WALES international Joe Allen is set to hold crunch talks with Stoke City amid serious transfer interest from former club Swansea City.

The midfielder is now a free agent after seeing his contract with the Potters expire, although Michael O’Neill’s men are exploring the option of keeping Allen at the bet365 Stadium.

He was not mentioned in the club’s released list which was published just three days after their season ended with a 1-1 draw against Coventry City.

But he is attracting interest from a number of clubs, including the Swans.

Russell Martin is eager to bring the Wales international back to south Wales this summer.

“He loves this club, I love him as a player. I will say it. I would love to [sign him]. We’ll have to wait and see,” he said last weekend.

The obvious stumbling block is finances, and the potential knock-on effect it could have on other potential signings, or even exits.

“To be anywhere near getting Joe Allen to come back here and be a player, you have to rely on his feeling and connection to the club, and also his willingness to earn not as much money as he has done,” explained Martin.