Laudrup would free wantaways

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup said there is no point keeping a player who wants to leave, with Joe Allen’s Liverpool-link remaining.

Allen, who was crucial during former manager Brendan Rodgers’ reign at Swansea, could leave the Welsh club as rumours persist he will join his former boss at Liverpool.

And while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has pledged to keep Robin van Persie despite the Dutch striker wanting to leave, Laudrup believes it is sometimes in a club’s best interest to let a player go.

“If you have a player who thinks he should be elsewhere, then what’s the use?” Laudrup said.

The Dane has maintained that Swansea have yet to receive an offer for Allen but has revealed he has already started thinking of a plan B if the 22-year-old leaves the club.

Laudrup has already brought in Spaniards Chico (from Genoa) and Michu (from Rayo Vallecano), as well as Dutchman Jonathan de Guzman (from Villarreal).

The 48-year-old said the poor economic situation in some parts of Europe means top-quality players are available, even to clubs like Swansea with relatively tight budgets.

“I think at this moment, one of the best markets is in Europe,” Laudrup said.

“I think I always prefer to take a player from Europe because they are used to playing here and as you can see, with the economy the way it is in the Spanish market, you can get a lot of value for money.

“You can see with the players we’ve already got here.”

Meanwhile the Olympics are set to provide Premier League managers with an easy opportunity to see some of the best up-and-coming players from around the world.

Wenger plans to send scouts to Great Britain’s friendly match against Brazil to watch Santos midfielder Paulo Enrique Ganso.

Ganso reportedly could be a replacement for van Persie if the Dutchman is sold prior to the new season.