As reported by The Sun, West Ham United are interested in signing Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen this summer.

What's the story?

Now the Potters have been relegated, the surviving teams in the top-flight will be taking a close look at their squad and handing transfer lifelines to those they deem good enough to continue on in the English Premier League.

One such player is Welsh international Joe Allen.

The Sun say that West Ham, Newcastle and Swansea are all interested in signing him this summer.

However, the paper say he won't come cheap, with plenty of time left on his contract which has no relegation clause.

That means he could cost as much as £20m, according to the report.

Would he be a good signing?

Fans rarely like signing relegated talent. There's an obvious stigma involved - if they weren't good enough to help their side stay in the league, then why should they be signed? There's a element of truth to that, but obviously the factors involved in relegation are often far more complex than the form or ability of one player.

Joe Allen wouldn't be the most glamorous of signings if he ended up at the London Stadium, but while fans might turn their nose up, it's easy to see how he could make an impact.

Allen has excellent technical ability in the middle of the park and in recent years the defensive side of his game has improved dramatically, showing the kind of determination and hard work that would ensure he gave his all for the Irons.

With the vision to turn defence into attack quickly and the kind of final product that has seen him notch up six assists and two goals this season in one of the poorest attacking outfits in the league, he's a player that West Ham should definitely be looking at this summer if the price is right.

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