Joe Allen closing in on £13m Stoke City move as Swansea fail to follow up interest with firm bid

JOE ALLEN is closing in on a £13million move to Stoke.

The Liverpool midfielder, 26, has held talks with fellow Welshman Mark Hughes over joining the Potters on a five-year deal after returning from his post-Euro 2016 holidays.

Former club Swansea showed interest last January and chairman Huw Jenkins stated on Friday the Welsh side were considering a bid for the out-of-favour Liverpool ace.

Allen has struggled for regular first-team football under Jurgen Klopp and has 12 months left on his current contract.

But Swansea, who let Allen move to Merseyside in 2012, have yet to follow up with a firm bid, paving the way for Stoke to complete the deal in the coming days.

Jenkins admitted Swansea were keen to take Allen back the Liberty Stadium but admitted Liverpool were asking for a “fair fee” for the player.

He said: “Joe is one of our own players and if at all possible we would probably make that signing.

“We discussed it with Liverpool a few weeks back.

“Stoke have made an offer. The player will decided where he wants to go. Liverpool are asking a fair fee for the fact he has one year left on his contract but they are entitled to.”