According to Wales Online, Newcastle have expressed an interest in signing Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen.
The paper claim that we are one of several Premier League sides eyeing a January deal, with ourselves, Wolves, West Ham and Burnley all believed to be keen.
Tom Coleman’s piece for Wales Online reveals how a £18m asking price put off potential suitors following Stoke’s relegation last summer, but it’s now suggested that the Potters may sell for a significantly lower fee, with their promotion hopes all but over as they battle to stay up at the wrong end of the Championship table.
It’s been widely reported that Steve Bruce is looking to sign another midfielder in January – and a player with Allen’s energy and PL experience suggests he could fit the bill – however this is a deal that doesn’t exactly fit in with Mike Ashley’s buying policy.
Allen, 29, turns 30 in March next year, so unless Stoke are willing to accept a real cut-price fee, it feels like this would be a non starter should Bruce put his name to the NUFC owner.
He’s a tidy player who could give us a useful option in midfield, allowing us to cash in on Ki while we can and loan out Matty Longstaff, but it’s a deal I can’t see Mike Ashley sanctioning unless Stoke are practically giving him away.
What a load of rubbish. He’s 30 and we all know that we do not sign players of that age. Other than that he’s not good enough. Agents touting him around in the hope of a nibble.
Robert Gilmore(Quote)