OPINION
Newcastle United are reportedly set to pass on the opportunity to sign Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen and manager Rafael Benitez would be missing a real trick if that is the case.
The Chronicle reports that the Magpies will ignore the chance to sign the 28-year-old this summer despite being offered following his relegation from the Premier League.
It is understood that the Wales internatonal is valued as £20million and it seems unlikely Newcastle will invest that much on one player, especially when they already have a midfield pairing of Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame.
The report details that Stoke’s pass master is very much in-demand with West Ham, Swansea City, Wolves and Sevilla all linked.
However, Newcastle could be making a major mistake by walking away from a swoop and desperately need to reconsider.
The Shelvey-Diame combination certainly worked well in the second half of the season, but it would be a major shock to see the duo go through the whole of the next campaign in the same rich vein of form.
Benitez needs to bolster his squad at St James’ Park to help his side establish themselves back in the top flight and Stoke’s talisman would be a stunning addition.
Allen is in the peak years of his footballing career and the ex-Liverpool midfielder has a wide range of passing that would see him shine in the Newcastle XI.
He managed four goals and seven assists in a struggling Stoke team this season, but could definitely up those numbers with better players around him.
The goalscoring midfielder would chip in with his fair share of goals for a Newcastle side that can lack an attacking edge and his control in the centre of the park would make him a marquee addition.