Michael Laudrup: 'Joe Allen worth more than Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing'

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has suggested that Liverpool target Joe Allen is worth more than £20m.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has made Allen his number one target during the current transfer window and has already had a bid for the 22-year-old midfielder rejected.

Liverpool signed Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing last summer for £17m and £20m respectively.

Laudrup says that Allen should cost more than Downing and Henderson did because he is "on a level above".

"He is worth a lot of money because he's a good player," said Laudrup. "The manager knows him and knows if he wants to change the way Liverpool play he needs a player in the midfield like Joe Allen.

"But he also knows he's very, very expensive. We saw they bought a couple of midfielders in the last few years for a lot of money, but with all due respect Joe is on a level above.

"In my opinion, if one is worth £17m then Joe is worth more, perhaps over £20m. I'm talking as a football man not as a chairman but if the chairman asks my advice then I will tell him the same."

Allen made 36 Premier League appearances last season, scoring four goals.