Swansea City’s new owners have revealed they have bought “around 68 per cent” of the club and could yet splash out on Joe Allen.
Jason Levien – one of the two Americans who have completed their £75m purchase of a controlling stake in the club – confirmed their slice at a press conference on Friday morning.
Steve Kaplan, who would have attended Thursday’s intended announcement before it was delayed by 24 hours, was absent, having returned to the USA for a business meeting.
In a measured performance, in which he appeared to be at pains not to present himself as a brash foreign investor, Levien promised there would be investment in the playing squad but declined to give any exact figures.
But both Levien and chairman Huw Jenkins – who is staying on in his role – later revealed in broadcast interviews that they were keen to bring Wales midfielder Allen back to the club from Liverpool.
Levien said: “Joe Allen is a player I know the club are interested in signing and it’s something we will be considering.
“But there are people at this club who are experts and recruitment of players, and they have a great track record, so we will be guided by them.”
Jenkins admitted Swansea have been quiet on the transfer front this season, with mainly low key signings during a time when strikers Eder and Alberto Paloschi have both left and Bafetimbi Gomis is nearing the exit.
Jenkins said: “We wanted to get this ownership deal done first, before turning our proper attention to making signings in the transfer market.
“Now that has been concluded, I expect us to be a lot busier. Joe Allen is a player we are certainly interested in.
“Joe is one of our own and if at all possible we would probably make that signing.”
Levien said the consortium would make money available to buy players, but added investment be “reasoned and measured“.
“We won’t be making a huge splash at the expense of stability,” he said.
He also moved to quell concerns among the club’s Supporters Trust who still hold a 21% stake and had claimed they were being left in the dark over the investment.
“The [Supporters] Trust is a huge asset to the club. We’ve had interaction with them on more than half a dozen occasions,” he said.
Levien was asked specifically about foreign ownership in the Premier League and replied: “I can tell you one thing, we will not change the colours!”
Jenkins insisted the decision to sell up was necessary in order for Swansea to progress and added: “Things have changed over the last six years in the Premier League. The club is different to how it was.
“I never thought we would have people coming in to invest from America. There will be huge benefits from these people coming over to join us.”
