Stoke reject Swansea’s attempt to bring Joe Allen home as their Gylfi Sigurdsson replacement
STOKE have reportedly rejected an approach from Swansea to take Joe Allen back to South Wales as a replacement for Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The Swans' Icelandic star is a mega-money target for big-spending Everton this summer, as both clubs creep ever close to a deal.
Now the Welsh club's focus has turned to his replacement as they concede defeat in their battle to keep hold of Sigurdsson.
Former Swansea and Liverpool midfielder Allen, 27, is the front-runner for the role after enjoying a superb season at the Potters last year.
The 36-cap Wales international netted six goals in 36 Premier League games following his £13million move from Anfield.
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has now confirmed they have had to reject an approach from Swansea for Allen.
Scholes said: "Swansea did inquire - I would rather it didn't get reported.
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";But we told them quite firmly we are not interested in any kind of sale.
"They made an inquiry, they're a decent club, we told them we aren't interested and that should be the end of the matter.
"Joe had a good season and we're hoping he will have an even better season this time."
Allen spent six seasons at Swansea as he got his career underway, helping lead the club from League One to the Premier League.
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