Swansea still hopeful for return of Joe Allen despite £13m Stoke bid

Swansea City have not given up hope of securing a Liberty Stadium return for Joe Allen this summer. The diminutive midfielder appears surplus to requirements under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, despite an impressive Euro 2016 campaign in which he was named alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, Dimitri Payet, Antoine Griezmann and compatriot Aaron Ramsey in Uefa's official team of the tournament after playing a crucial role in Wales's fairytale run to the semi-finals.

Smooth passer Allen who has one year remaining on his current contract at Anfield, made just 14 appearances across all competitions last season.

Although the 26-year-old was mentioned in connection with a reunion with former boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and a possible move to reigning Europa League champions Sevilla, The Guardian reported earlier this week that Stoke City were the front-runners for his signature having matched Liverpool's valuation with a bid of £13m ($17m).

However, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has made little secret of the club's interest in sealing a homecoming and is not yet ready to concede defeat, after overseeing the recent arrivals of Leroy Fer, Mike van der Hoorn and Mark Birighitti.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the club's £110m takeover by American pair Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan was finally confirmed at a delayed press conference, Jenkins said: "Joe is one of our own players and if at all possible we would probably make that signing. We discussed it with Liverpool a few weeks back. Stoke have made an offer.

"The player will decide where he wants to go. Liverpool are asking a fair fee for the fact he has one year left on his contract but they are entitled to."

Klopp remained coy on Allen's future following a 2-0 pre-US tour friendly victory over Championship outfit Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium on Wednesday night (20 July).

"All I would say about this would be to say something about transfers or not transfers," he said. "I like the guy, I really think he's a wonderful football player. But I knew this before the European Championship, during the European Championship, and now, but it's all about respecting a contract, to negotiate or not, to make a transfer or not – that's it, there is nothing to discuss properly. I haven't seen him since the middle of May [in] Basel. When there's something to say about this, I'll call you."