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Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is reportedly a shock transfer target for Manchester United.

United are planning to make a £20m bid for the 24-year-old as boss Louis Van Gaal tries to bolster his misfiring midfield.

Van Gaal had Allen watched during the Reds 3-1 defeat at champions Manchester City on Monday night as he weighs up his options, the Daily Star reports.

If a deal goes through Allen would be the first player to leave Anfield for Old Trafford since Allenby Chilton joined United from Liverpool in 1938, according to the Star.

He is believed to have caught the eye of Dutchman Van Gaal when he impressed for Wales in a 2-0 friendly defeat against Holland in Amsterdam in June.

Allen was often used as a sub last season by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, with questions raised over the summer about his future.