Rodgers confirms interest in signing Swansea midfielder Joe Allen
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted he wants to raid former club Swansea City for midfielder Joe Allen as his Anfield revolution gathers speed the Mirror reports.
The Northern Irishman gave Wales international Allen his chance to shine at the Liberty Stadium during his two-year spell in the dugout seeing him develop into one of the most exciting young playmakers in the Premier League.
It was believed he held a gentleman’s agreement with the South Wales club not to approach any of their players following his defection to Merseyside to replace Kenny Dalglish.
However Rodgers is determined to sign a creative midfielder and is hoping to lure the 22-year-old to the North West despite him signing a new long-term deal with the Swans last year.
“I have a great relationship with Swansea but if there is a market for any of the players, I would like to be in that market,” he said.
“They respect that. He is a very talented player, which everyone knows but there is nothing more at the moment. When players come to a club such as Liverpool, it’s never straightforward.
“There are always other barriers and difficulties. At this moment, there are ongoing negotiations on a few targets.”
Having signed former Swansea striker Fabio Borini from Roma last week Rodgers is preparing to step up his transfer activity and is reportedly planning a move for Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey.
The 39-year-old confessed his desire to sign the American international and is hoping to conduct more early business before the Premier League season kicks off in August.
He added: “We hope we’re close to some deals. I need to evaluate the players we have and assess the squad and bring some in to bring freshness to the group.
“As a manager you want them in sooner rather than later but the main thing is to get them in before the beginning of the season. If we do that, our job will be done.”
