Swansea fume over Allen pursuit

Swansea last night launched a scathing attack on Liverpool’s pursuit of midfielder Joe Allen.

The Swans are angered by Liverpool’s pursuit of Allen as — after taking Brendan Rodgers from the Welsh club as Kenny Dalglish’s successor — the Merseysiders agreed not to make approaches for Swans players for 12 months.

Allen signed a four-year deal with Swansea last year but that hasn’t stopped Rodgers from going public on his interest in bringing him to Anfield.

A club spokesman said: “Swansea can confirm that Liverpool have expressed an interest in Joe Allen, despite a written agreement with Liverpool not to approach any players within the 12-month period of former manager Brendan Rodgers leaving for Anfield.

“There has also been interest from other clubs regarding his possible availability and the club is due to speak to Joe, as originally planned, about the situation when he returns from GB (Olympic) duty.

“The club is not prepared to release any details on whether any formal bids have been made at this stage or details of Joe’s contract, which are private and confidential.

“The club is extremely disappointed that speculation regarding certain aspects of his contract have been released to the media by parties outside the club.”

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, meanwhile, has warned Rodgers he will have to face a substantial loss if he wants to move striker Andy Carroll on.

The 23-year-old England international’s future has been a topic for debate ever since new Reds manager Rodgers hinted that he may not be part of his plans, prompting the Magpies to launch a bid to bring him back to Tyneside, initially on loan, and then permanently for a fraction of the £35 million for which they sold him.

Liverpool have since insisted Carroll will not be allowed to go out on loan and are understood to be holding out for around £20m with West Ham and Fulham also having been linked with the striker.

However, Pardew said: “[Reading chairman] John Madejski used to say to me about certain players, ‘Just wipe your nose and move on’, and I think [Liverpool] are going to have to do that with Andy.

“Whether he comes here, is something that I will take or I will leave. It’s a lot of money for Mike [Ashley, Newcastle owner], although we’ll obviously be getting a big upside in terms of what we sold him for, and we’ve got three great strikers here already.’’

Chelsea, meanwhile, have completed the signing of Brazil playmaker Oscar from Internacional. The 20-year-old joins the European champions in a deal worth £25m.

Oscar is a product of the Sao Paulo youth set up. He left the capital for Internacional in December 2010 and has played at every level of international football from U15 to U20.

Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or winger, he is viewed as one of his country’s most exciting talents.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rejected reports linking his club with a bid for Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

Rummenigge said: “We know that de Jong’s agent offers him everywhere.

“But it is not true to say there is interest from FC Bayern.”

In Europe, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has dropped a strong hint the Serie A club will bid for the services of their former star midfielder Kaka.

The Brazilian playmaker has struggled for consistency at Real Madrid since he left the San Siro in 2009.

Galliani said of a possible reunion: “Some loves never end, they may go away for a long time, but they always return.”