Joe Allen's 'unfinished business', Stoke City's own transfer plan and why time favours Swansea City

Joe Allen is currently mulling over a big decision concerning his club career.

Now out of contract with Stoke City, the Wales international, currently recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up against Belgium this month, will be weighing up his next move.

The Potters have an offer on the table for the 32-year-old, who is also wanted by former club Swansea City, with head coach Russell Martin a firm admirer of the midfielder. He isn't the only one, with Allen said to have multiple teams tracking his next step.

Stoke returned for pre-season on Monday, with Allen not among the number in the Potteries; that would have been the case anyway, with internationals afforded an extended break this summer.

A decision will have to be made soon, though. We spoke to Stoke expert , one of our colleagues at , for the view from the bet365 Stadium.

A: Stoke had talks with Allen towards the end of the season about extending his stay. He knows he can be a senior figure and will be pretty much guaranteed to play regularly if he does, which must tick a big box heading towards the World Cup.

But he's also got a young family who will grow up in Wales. It's clearly not going to be a decision based just on money.

It's worth noting that Stoke are making other manoeuvres in midfield. Michael O'Neill is expected to bring in Josh Laurent and Lewis Baker has signed a new long-term contract, probably in pole position to be captain if Allen departs.

A: Yes, O'Neill has always been full of praise for Allen on and off the pitch as a top professional. He made him captain last summer and he's played virtually every game when he's been fit since he joined from Liverpool in 2016.

A: Mixed. He's been a constant through a pretty terrible decline from