Liverpool close in on Olympic bound midfielder

BBC Sport is reporting this afternoon that Liverpool are in negotiations to sign Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen.

It has been widely reported since Brendan Rodgers made the switch to Anfield that he wanted to sign Allen and now the deal is looking a lot closer.

Although Liverpool’s initial bid of £10m plus Jonjo Shelvey on loan has been rejected, it is thought that the two clubs will try and agree a deal before long.

Swansea value the midfielder at around £15m and will not budge for any less. They may have accepted that the player will move on, but want to get plenty of money if he does.

Initially, this was not a situation that Swansea thought they would find themselves in. When Rodgers left for Liverpool, it was agreed that he wouldn’t make a move for Swansea’s players.

However, it was agreed that if Swansea considered it in the best interests of the club, a deal could be done.

Now it seems that Swansea are willing to do a deal, but only for the right price.

Overall, this could end up being quite a lengthy negotiating phase, but Rodgers is prepared to be patient in order to get his man.

More on this as we get it.