Stoke City are reportedly open to offloading some of their highest earners in January to free up the wage bill and West Ham United have already been linked with goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Midfielder Joe Allen is another stand-out star in Michael O’Neill’s but he could also be on the market if a suitable offer arrives for his services.
According to Wales Online, West Ham have joined Burnley, Newcastle United and Wolves in keeping tabs on Allen’s situation at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Hammers are in need of midfield reinforcements next month and with Stoke demanding £18million for Allen in the summer, it’s likely their valuation has dropped since then.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
At 29 years of age, the Wales international would certainly provide experience and that could be exactly what Declan Rice needs as competition.
It’s not a signing that would propel West Ham to the next level, obviously, but he’d add quality and I’d be all for it if he wasn’t the only midfield arrival.
The idea of signing a younger, long-term midfield partner for Declan Rice is inviting, especially considering Mark Noble’s getting no younger.
It’s going to be a winter transfer period to remember, for the right or wrong reasons.
