The future of Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen is very much up in the air as at least 12 clubs are wanting to sign the Wales international, according to WalesOnline.

The 32-year-old is hot property going into the summer as his contract at the Potters comes to an end, but there is still a chance that he remains at the Bet365 Stadium.

Allen will meet the club for talks this week as he was not named on the list of players who are to be released at the end of their deals, but he is a wanted man elsewhere.

Former club Swansea City are believed to have already held talks to bring Allen back to South Wales, having left the Liberty Stadium in 2012 to join Liverpool for £15 million.

Russell Martin has confirmed his desire to bring Allen back to the Swans, but he faces a battle on his hands to do so as 12 other unnamed clubs have expressed an interest.

That interest goes at least as far as Spain, with at least one club from that particular nation having a desire to bring the 70-cap international to their club.

The Verdict

Some would say Allen is perhaps not needed at Swansea due to the fact both Matt Grimes and Flynn Downes patrol the midfield at the Swansea.com Stadium.

He would bring more experience to the engine room, something that Martin is losing with Korey Smith's upcoming departure, and it would also bring a feel-good factor as Allen is well-liked amongst the club's fans.

It's a no-brainer for Allen to return if he wants to move closer to home, but he will have no shortage of offers on the table.

Allen has proven that he's still up to it as a top Championship player and he's still a regular for Wales on the international stage, so if a big-money offer comes in from overseas then it may be more tempting at this stage than a return home.