Stoke City have confirmed they are in talks with Joe Allen over a new contract at the club.
The midfielder's current deal with the Potters expires this summer, meaning he is able to leave the bet365 Stadium for free. However, Michael O'Neill's side have announced that they are working on a deal to extend Allen's stay in Staffordshire.
WalesOnline revealed earlier this month that Swansea City are keen to re-sign the Wales international, a decade on from his move away from the club to Liverpool. (You can read the full story here.)
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Speaking after his side's loss to Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2021/22 season, Russell Martin admitted he would love to bring Allen back to the Swansea.com Stadium.
“He loves this club, I love him as a player," said the head coach. "I will say it. I would love to [sign him]. We’ll have to wait and see." You can read Martin's comments on Allen in full here.
However, given the club's financial situation, Swansea need to free up funds before they can get their planned signings over the line. Speaking at a fans' forum earlier this month, Martin admitted the Swans need to trim their squad - with Jay Fulton and Liam Walsh in the frame to leave - before they can make a swoop for Allen.
"I don't think there's a gap in the squad for Joe Allen," Martin told BBC Sport Wales. "There may be a gap in the squad [in the future] and he is one person who we would definitely be interested in to fill it.
"But at the moment I think it would be a difficult one. It's whether we can interest Joe enough to wait. There are going to be lots of interest and I will just be one of a number of managers who will be interested. So much in football is timing and opportunity."
Allen is currently in Wales' training camp in Portugal ahead of his country's five matches next month. Rob Page's men face either Scotland or Ukraine in the World Cup play-off final on June 5 while they also play four Nations League fixtures.
