Liverpool have bid for Joe Allen rejected

Liverpool have had their opening bid for midfielder Joe Allen rejected by Swansea City.

New boss Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to bring his former player to Anfield with him, but the Reds' opening bid failed to reach Swansea's asking price.

Liverpool are thought to have offered £10m plus Jonjo Shelvey on loan, with Swansea holding out for the £15m that would trigger a clause in Allen's contract.

Rodgers has a written agreement with his former club preventing him from signing any of their players, but Swansea can waive this clause if they decide that an offer is too good to turn down.