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Newcastle United could pass on the chance to sign Welsh international Joe Allen this summer.

The reliable 28-year-old looks set to leave relegated Stoke City but will demand regular first-team football at St James’ Park, something the Magpies simply can’t guarantee him.

With Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame very much first choice in Rafa Benitez’s engine room after a superb second half of the season, Allen would have to fight for his place on Tyneside.

And given the former Liverpool and Swansea City star is rated at £20million it could see United plough that money into a different and more in need positional department.

Newcastle still have to decide what will happen with unsettled midfielder Mikel Merino with the ex-Borussia Dortmund player continuously linked with Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad in recent times.

Merino enjoys life in Newcastle but is not content with the prospect of sitting on the bench next season.

Benitez wants Merino to stay and fight for his place but knows his head could be turned by the lure of regular first-team action in La Liga.

Ideally, Benitez wants a midfielder who will push Shelvey and Diame at the start of next season.

Newcastle will look to move on Jack Colback and Henri Saivet this summer in an attempt to raise more transfer funding while Benitez will also use pre-season to take a look at younger midfielders such as Sean Longstaff and Dan Barlaser.

West Ham, Swansea City, Wolves, and Sevilla have all been linked with Allen this summer.