Thursday 10 August 2017 21:00, UK
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has confirmed he turned down an inquiry from Swansea City for Wales midfielder Joe Allen.
Allen enjoyed an excellent first season with the Potters in 2016-17, scoring six goals in 36 Premier League appearances after making a £13m move from Liverpool.
Swansea were interested in Allen when he made the move to the Potteries just over 12 months ago, but Stoke have told them the 27-year-old is not for sale.
The Welsh side are in the market for a midfielder with doubts over the future of Gylfi Sigurdsson, an Everton target, continuing to swirl.
Scholes said: "Swansea did inquire - I would rather it didn't get reported - but we told them quite firmly we are not interested in any kind of sale.
"They made an inquiry, they're a decent club, we told them we aren't interested and that should be the end of the matter.
"Joe had a good season and we're hoping he will have an even better season this time."
