Swansea: Allen will cost Liverpool more than £20million.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has insisted that Joe Allen will be 'very, very expensive' and should cost Liverpool more than £20million.

The 22-year-old has already been the subject of a bid from former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers - who is now in charge at Anfield.



Laudrup, though, has pointed to the fact that Liverpool spent £17million on Jordan Henderson last summer, and he feels that Allen should cost more.



"He is worth a lot of money because he's a good player," said Laudrup.



"The manager knows him and knows if he wants to change the way Liverpool play he needs a player in the midfield like Joe Allen.



"But he also knows he's very, very expensive. We saw they bought a couple of midfielders in the last few years for a lot of money, but with all due respect Joe is on a level above.



"In my opinion, if one is worth £17m then Joe is worth more, perhaps over £20million. I'm talking as a football man not as a chairman but if the chairman asks my advice then I will tell him the same."



It is understood the offer Swansea rejected last month included Jonjo Shelvey moving on a season-long loan to the Liberty.



But Laudrup says he will not accept an offer that includes a player not considered first-choice at Anfield.



When asked about the possibility of an exchange, he said: "If we could have (Luis) Suarez ... We have good players here and they have good players, but I can't see a player not in the starting 11 at Liverpool being in the starting 11 in our team.



"They might want to do it because they can pay less money."



While Allen continues to be linked with Liverpool, Laudrup is still looking to strengthen his squad, and the Dane says he is closing in on two more additions, believed to be a striker and a winger.



"One is quite close but the other one is more difficult," he said.



"But I hope he will be an important player for us. He is playing at quite a big club so it's not that easy. They are both offensive players. One can defend as well.



"We are also working on other alternatives."

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Swans frustrated by Reds' interest in Joe Allen

Swansea have insisted they are disappointed with Liverpool's pursuit of midfielder Joe Allen.



Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who made the switch from the Liberty Stadium to Anfield to replace Kenny Dalglish this summer, confirmed his interest in the Wales international last week.



Allen signed a four-year deal with Swansea last year but Rodgers is keen to bring him to the north-west of England.



And the south Wales club are disappointed, claiming Liverpool agreed not to make approaches for Swans players until next year.



A club spokesman said: "Swansea can confirm that Liverpool have expressed an interest in Joe Allen, despite a written agreement with Liverpool not to approach any players within the 12-month period of former manager Brendan Rodgers leaving for Anfield."



The spokesman continued on www.swanseacity.net: "There has also been interest from other clubs regarding his possible availability and the club is due to speak to Joe, as originally planned, about the situation when he returns from GB (Olympic) duty.



"The club is not prepared to release any details on whether any formal bids have been made at this stage or details of Joe's contract, which are private and confidential.



"The club is extremely disappointed that speculation regarding certain aspects of his contract have been released to the media by parties outside the club."



Swansea, who finished three places and five points adrift of eighth-placed Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League, are keen to keep their current players.



The spokesman added: "Fortunately the club is in a financial position where it does not need to sell any of its players and will continue to work in the best interests of its supporters, who are our priority, and the club to provide new manager Michael Laudrup with the best opportunity to be successful in the forthcoming Premier League campaign."



Rodgers last week said: "I have a great relationship with Swansea but if there is a market for any of the players, I would like to be in that market.



"They respect that. He is a very talented player, which everyone knows but there is nothing more at the moment. When players come to a club such as Liverpool, it's never straightforward.



"There are always other barriers and difficulties. At this moment, there are ongoing negotiations on a few targets.



"We hope we're close to some deals. I need to evaluate the players we have and assess the squad and bring some in to bring freshness to the group.



"As a manager you want them in sooner rather than later but the main thing is to get them in before the beginning of the season. If we do that, our job will be done."

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