5 Potential Replacements for Liverpool Bound Joe Allen

After Brendan Rodgers' departure from Swansea City, the future of Joe Allen at the Liberty Stadium was thrown into disarray. With Rodgers keen on bringing his footballing philosophy to Anfield, the Welshman could be a key component in Liverpool's new look for the 2012/13 season. The reported £15 million fee will prove to be an excellent piece of business for the Swans and should provide sufficient funding to recruit a replacement for the Welsh international. New boss Michael Laudrup has been deploying loan signing Jonathan de Guzman in the centre of midfield during pre-season whilst Allen has been with Team GB but the Dane has stated his intent of signing a replacement for the Welshman if he was to leave. But who could fill the Allen-shaped void in Swansea's midfield?

Mark Davies

Bolton's 24-year old midfielder Mark Davies is the front runner to replace Allen in the nucleus of Swansea's midfield. After an excellent season last season, Davies will be keen to return to the Premier League after Bolton's relegation to the Championship. Swansea have already stated their intent of signing the player by lodging a bid of around £4m which was rejected by the Lancashire club, who are holding out for a figure in the realms of £7m before even considering a sale of their promising midfield maestro. Davies ticks all the boxes for what Michael Laudrup is looking for - comfortable on the ball and attack minded. With the Swans taking a much more direct style in their play, Davies' more lethal approach in front of goal goes hand-in-hand with Laudrup's philosophy.