According to reports in The Chronicle, Newcastle United may turn down the opportunity to sign Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen in a club-record £20m deal this summer despite being offered the chance to bring him to St James' Park.

The Potters are said to be willing to sell the Wales international for the right price following their relegation to the Championship, but Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is said to be unsure on a deal because of strength in depth he already has in the middle of the park with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Mo Diame, Mikel Merino, Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez.

While Benitez may not be keen, the 28-year-old certainly showed the qualities that he has during the 2017/18 campaign despite his side's drop from the Premier League, as he scored two goals and provided a further six assists in 36 top flight appearances.

We asked Newcastle supporters to vote on our poll to see whether they wanted their club to bring the Welshman to Tyneside, and a whopping 77% said they wouldn't, presumably with the St James' Park faithful, who are desperate to see a £135,000-a-week attacker sign this summer, that he wouldn't be an upgrade on what they already have.

It is certainly understandable given his price tag, but the experience he has at this level and the fact he can play in a number of different midfield positions means he could prove to be a priceless addition to their squad.

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