Wales international Joe Allen has distanced himself from reports linking the Stoke City midfielder with a January move to Newcastle United.
Allen has long been touted as a player that may leave the Bet365 Stadium during the mid-season market, as the Potters posted losses of £30.1million during their final season in the Premier League and have shown little signs of making a return to the top-flight to ease their financial woes.
Selling some of their star players, like Allen, was thought to be an ever-increasing likely scenario as the threat of relegation into League One loomed large, and Stoke are still only four points clear of the bottom three.
Should Allen’s services hit the market, West Ham United and Newcastle were claimed to be potential landing spots, as the Hammers have been long-term admirers of the 29-year-old while Toon boss Steve Bruce could spark more intense interest in the North East.
The Irons have been linked with a possible January offer once more earlier this week, with it suggested David Moyes is weighing up a late move after sending scouts to watch the 56-cap midfield excel against promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.
Allen, though, has distanced himself from reports of a mid-season departure from the Bet365 Stadium, insisting that he expects to remain in Red and White for the rest of the season.
“I think I’ll be here, as far as I know,” Allen told BBC Radio Stoke. “You know what January is like for every player, the rumours are flying about, but nothing’s happened that I’m aware of.
Would you have welcomed Allen to St. James' Park?
Yes
No
“There’s a huge job to be done here at Stoke and the great thing from an individual point of view is that the team seems to be making progress and going in the right direction.
“There’s been ups and downs since I’ve been here and I can’t get away from that. But honestly, I’ve loved pretty much every minute and always enjoy representing the club and playing for the team and I doubt that will ever change.”
Stoke are thought to want £10m to sell Allen during the January window, while the midfielder under contract until 2022 is said to have interest from European clubs, as well.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the Potters’ first-team this season, with 25 starts in 26 appearances and the third-most minutes of action (2,186) of any Stoke player.
He has also provided three of Stoke’s 34 league goals this term, but is yet to register an assist, received the Potters’ only red card thus far and only holds the seventh-best pass accuracy rating at the Bet365 Stadium (81.8%).
In other Newcastle United news, the club are reportedly interested in signing a €25m midfielder after he fell out with his current side’s hierarchy.