Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill has rubbished claims that the Potters are looking to sell Joe Allen to Championship rivals Sheffield United during the summer transfer window, as reported by Sentinal.
With 12 months left on his contract, if Stoke did want to sell Allen, this would be the ideal time to do just that.
The 31-year-old has raised his profile with an impressive showing in Wales’ Euro 2020 campaign, putting those injury problems behind him while holding his own against the likes of Italy and Switzerland on the biggest of stages.
The Star reported a fortnight ago that recently-relegated Sheffield United had been offered the chance to take Allen to Bramall Lane, presumably for a knockdown fee.
The Blades might have been tempted, too, with John Lundstram departing and Sander Berge – the giant Norwegian on the radar of Tottenham, Arsenal, Aston Villa and countless Serie A clubs – potentially following in his footsteps.
Is Wales hero Joe Allen an option for Sheffield United?
But, according to O’Neill, reports suggesting Stoke are desperate to sell one of their most reliable and experienced players are about as accurate as a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
“I’ve seen loads of things in the media that tell me I’m trying to sell Joe, which is entirely not true,” explained the former Northern Ireland manager.
“Look, Joe is a top player. I think Joe will come back in a good place because he’s had a good tournament.
“He came to Stoke City off the back of a very good tournament in 2016 and hopefully he’s in a good place again.
“But as I’ve said all along, I’m not actively trying to move players like Joe Allen out of the club. I have no interest in doing that at all – but equally, every player has a value and if those situations arise you have to assess it at that point in time.
“We look forward to having him back. We have been touching wood he stays fit to the end of the tournament and obviously going forward into next season.”
One player who may be arriving in the Steel City, however, is highly-rated Wolves defender Dion Sanderson.
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