Russell Martin has suggested that Swansea City will need to shift one of their current midfield options if they are to land Joe Allen this summer.
The Swans boss has already admitted that he'd love to bring the Wales international back to SA1, but has, for the first time, cast doubt on whether they will be in a position to do a deal, adding that any successful pursuit would require patience from Allen, whose representatives have already spoken to current club Stoke City about a new deal.
The Potters are understood to be keen on keeping the 32-year-old, although there are a number of clubs waiting in the wings should they fail to reach an agreement, with Premier League duo Fulham and Bournemouth believed to among a dozen other clubs.
The Swans too have expressed an interest, but at the time of writing are yet to really offer anything in the way of a concrete bid for the Wales international, and Martin has admitted that he may well have to move on one of his current midfield options if a move for the former Liverpool man is to become a possibility.
"I don't think there's a gap in the squad for Joe Allen," Martin told BBC Sport Wales. "There may be a gap in the squad [in the future] and he is one person who we would definitely be interested in to fill it.
"But at the moment I think it would be a difficult one. It's whether we can interest Joe enough to wait.
"There are going to be lots of interest and I will just be one of a number of managers who will be interested. So much in football is timing and opportunity."
Jay Fulton and Liam Walsh would surely be among the prime candidates to be shown the door. Fulton has played a bit-part role at the Swans since Martin took over, and Walsh spent the second half of the season on loan at Hull City.
