Stoke close in on Joe Allen after agreeing £13million fee with Liverpool for Wales midfielder

STOKE have agreed a £13million fee with Liverpool to sign Euro 2016 star Joe Allen.

Mark Hughes has stolen a march on Swansea by making the first serious move to sign the midfielder who made a huge impression for Wales over the summer.

Swansea had been in pole position to take Allen back to the Liberty Stadium after three years at Anfield but have delayed making a formal bid.

And that has given Stoke boss Hughes the chance to pounce – and he will now hope to convince the 26-year-old to pass up a return his old club in favour of moving to the Bet365 Stadium.

Hughes is desperate to strengthen his midfield having lost Stephen Ireland to a broken leg and Ibrahim Affelay to a cruciate ligament injury.

Allen only has a year left on his current deal at Liverpool but manager Jurgen Klopp has told him he may not be a regular part of his first team plans.

But his form for Wales in France was so impressive Liverpool can hold out for a good fee for the midfielder – especially with several clubs showing an interest.

Stoke are preparing to get their transfer business done, having also made a £20m bid for West Brom’s unsettled striker Saido Berhaino.

Hughes is confident he has done enough to sell Berahino on a move to the Potteries, but any deal will be delayed by West Brom searching for a replacement.

The Baggies are hopeful of signing Diafro Sakho from West Ham and should that deal go through then Berahino will be given the green light to leave.