Joe Allen is linked with a move to West Ham United in January.
Speaking to The Standard, Mark Hughes has rubbished the speculation linking Joe Allen with a move to West Ham United in January.
The Stoke midfielder has been a rare positive in an otherwise dismal season for relegation-threatened City and The Daily Mirror claimed that West Ham are interested.
Hammers boss David Moyes confirmed earlier this month that he was targeting talented midfielders with Premier League experience, and Allen certainly fits the bill.
But it seems like Moyes might have to keep looking elsewhere after the Stoke manager told The Standard that he has no intention of selling the former Liverpool ace.
He said, when asked about the West Ham rumour: “It is the first I have heard of that, but it wouldn’t surprise me because he has been impressive this year.
“We can’t afford to lose a player of Joe’s quality – he is working exceptionally hard for us and we are really pleased with what he is producing for us at the moment.
“We won’t be encouraging any bids for any of our key players, especially not in January, that is for certain.”
Moyes already has a number of quality midfielders but is Allen going to enhance them?
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is regularly linked to West Ham and if the Scottish manager saw him in the 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Thursday then surely Wilshere should be the priority.
Transfermarkt claim that the ex-Swansea man is valued at around £13.3 million.
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