Brendan Rodgers willing to cut losses on Welsh midfielder.
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is prepared to sell midfielder Joe Allen for the right price in this summer’s transfer window, it has emerged.
The 23-year-old has not impressed for the Reds since joining for £15million from Swansea last summer, where he had shone under Rodgers, looking somewhat out of his depth at a bigger club with higher expectation.
Liverpool are understood to be looking for improvements in that part of the pitch, with former star Xabi Alonso being linked with a return to Anfield from Real Madrid, as they seek a more dynamic partner for the likes of Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva in the middle of the park.
Despite being dubbed ‘the Welsh Xavi’ by Rodgers on joining him at Liverpool from Swansea, the Wales international has only scored two goals and provided no assists in an unconvincing attempt to become the team’s main playmaker.
It is thought that he would welcome a return to Swansea, following what is likely to be the same decision by Manchester City’s Scott Sinclair, who has also flopped at his new club since leaving the Liberty Stadium last summer.
However, it is not clear if the Swans would be willing to pay Liverpool’s £8million asking price, nor Allen’s inflated wages. Current manager Michael Laudrup has done well to bring in signings on the cheap from abroad, and is likely to continue this policy rather than return to a former player who would demand more money following a spell at a bigger club.
In a somewhat controversial move, it is thought that newly-promoted Cardiff City could look to offer Allen an escape route from Anfield. The Welsh side, who have a rivalry with fellow Wales team Swansea, are expected to make some big signings upon their promotion to the Premier League, backed by their wealthy Malaysian owners. They may be better-placed to meet Liverpool’s asking price as well as Allen’s wages.
Cardiff have also been linked with the likes of former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, as well as another Welshman in Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, though Allen would be seen as a good alternative as the Gunners are unlikely to sell their young midfielder.
As well as Alonso, Liverpool are said to be looking at Wigan midfielder James McCarthy, as well as Sevilla playmaker Ivan Rakitic to improve their current midfield options.
Their first signing of the summer was confirmed last week as former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City.