The Newcastle fans in the Transfer Tavern have been breathing a sigh of relief this morning. A story in The Chronicle claims that the Magpies have been offered Stoke’s Welsh central-midfielder, Joe Allen for £20 million, although they’re poised to pass on the 28-year-old. Allen scored two goals and got a further six assists in his 36 Premier League game this season, although it wasn’t enough to help his side survive the drop.
#Nufc will most likely pass on the chance to sign Stoke midfielder Joe Allen for £20m after he was offered to the club https://t.co/LhD34SXztf
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) May 30, 2018
If Rafa Benitez had taken Stoke City up on their offer the former Liverpool man would become Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever, slotting in between legendary England strikers, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer, who were signed for £22 million and £15 million respectively. Meanwhile, Allen probably wouldn’t even be a consistent starter on Tyneside with Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame having the midfield positions locked down.
Thankfully for Newcastle fans, the money will be likely be put towards players in positions that the club need strengthening. Benitez has reportedly been looking at a striker, a winger and a right-back to bolster the side that finished 10th in the Premier League last season as he looks to improve on that and maybe sneak into a European spot for the 2018/19 season.
You can read our resident Geordies’ verdict on Allen here:
I thought he'd have been decent.
— Jon (@JonnyBWoode) May 30, 2018
20m he’s worth 7 max
— Todd Swain (@Todd_Swain) 30 May 2018
He literally couldn’t clean Diames boots.
— David Pick (@davidpick1987) May 30, 2018
Yep. Pass on that
— Conor Bennett (@CBennett_12) May 30, 2018
Would pay £5m tops
— Darren Jack Webb (@darrenjackwebb) May 30, 2018
Imagine the scenes if our record signing was Joe Allen
— Barry Blakely (@BarryBlakely) 30 May 2018
