Laudrup warns Liverpool that Allen won’t go cheaply

Michael Laudrup has warned Liverpool that he won’t let midfielder Joe Allen leave  Swansea City on the cheap this summer. 

Former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers is keen for the 22-year-old to join him at Anfield and is understood to have had a bid for £12.5m rejected by the South Wales club.

Chairman Huw Jenkins is holding out for the Reds to match the £15 million release clause in his contract but Laudrup insinuated that they will have to pay more.

Rodgers’ predecessor Kenny Dalglish spent heavily during his second spell on Merseyside splashing out over £80m on Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

“He is worth a lot of money because he’s a good player,” said Laudrup.

“The manager knows him and knows if he wants to change the way Liverpool play he needs a player in the midfield like Joe Allen.

“But he also knows he’s very, very expensive. We saw they bought a couple of midfielders in the last few years for a lot of money, but with all due respect Joe is on a level above.

“In my opinion, if one is worth £17m then Joe is worth more, perhaps over £20million. I’m talking as a football man not as a chairman but if the chairman asks my advice then I will tell him the same.”

Rodgers’ predecessor Kenny Dalglish spent heavily during his second spell on Merseyside splashing out over £80m on Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

It’s understood that Liverpool offered fringe player Jonjo Shelvey to Swansea on a season long loan deal that Laudrup rebuffed stating he won’t accept a player not considered first-choice at his current club.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login