Manchester United consider shock move for Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is interested in signing Joe Allen from arch-rivals Liverpool, according to reports.

The South Wales Evening Post reports that Liverpool are open to selling the midfielder in the summer despite his impressive performances for Wales at Euro 2016.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Swansea City, but the paper claims United could launch an audacious bid to sign him from their biggest rivals.

The last player to move directly between the two clubs was Phil Chisnall more than half a century ago.

Allen made only 19 league appearances for Liverpool last season and has 12 months left on his Anfield contract.

He started all six of Wales's games at the European Championship in France, helping the Dragons reach the semi-final stage.

Reports say Liverpool have not started contract renewal talks with Allen and could let him leave for a fee of £10m ($15m).

West Ham, Stoke City and Scottish champions Celtic have all been linked with a move for the player.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Wales training camp before Euro 2016 started, Allen said he would return to Liverpool at the end of the tournament and listen to the club's transfer plans before making a decision on whether to move elsewhere.

"[My future] hinges on the pre-season plans and what exactly the club are hoping to do, everything comes into that," Allen was quoted as saying by the Guardian on 26 May.

"The acquisitions and who they are going to get in. Until all that happens it is difficult to answer that question."

The South Wales Evening Post reports that Allen is keen on a return to Swansea.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who worked with Allen at Swansea and Liverpool, has also expressed an interest in signing him.

"Joe is a wonderful player. I always look at all my former players," he told the Daily Record last month.