Swansea reject Liverpool’s £12m bid for Joe Allen
Liverpool have had a £12 million bid for Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen rejected according to the Daily Mail.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers recently declared his intention to bring the Wales international to Merseyside this summer and is now preparing to step up his pursuit.
It’s thought that the Northern Irishman had tabled a cash-plus-player offer, thought to include 20-year-old Jonjo Shelvey on a season-long loan, that was immediately rejected by Swans chairman Huw Jenkins.
The approach comes less than two months after he assured his former employers that he wouldn’t try to sign any player from the Liberty Stadium unless they were transfer listed or the subject of an offer from other clubs.
Jenkins is reported to be unhappy that Rodgers failed to adhere to the agreement reached in May and it could now complicate any future bid to take Allen to Anfield.
However the south Wales club did confirm in a statement that they were aware of interest from elsewhere – rumoured to be Tottenham Hotspur – but are understood to angered by speculation regarding the details of a clause in the 22-year-old’s contract.
“Swansea City can confirm that Liverpool have expressed an interest in Joe Allen, despite a written agreement with Liverpool not to approach any players within the 12-month period of former manager Brendan Rodgers leaving for Anfield.
“There has also been interest from other clubs regarding his possible availability and the club is due to speak to Joe, as originally planned, about the situation when he returns from GB duty.
‘The club is not prepared to release any details on whether any formal bids have been made at this stage or details of Joe’s contract, which are private and confidential.
“The club is extremely disappointed that speculation regarding certain aspects of his contract have been released to the media by parties outside the club.
“Fortunately the club is in a financial position where it does not need to sell any of its players and will continue to work in the best interests of its supporters, who are our priority, and the club to provide new manager Michael Laudrup with the best opportunity to be successful in the forthcoming Premier League campaign.”
