Exclusive: Paul Robinson up in arms after West Ham submit bid for £8m-valued man

Paul Robinson insists that West Ham signing Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen for £8million would not be good business for the Hammers.

The former Tottenham and England goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says he is not convinced the 29-year-old is the answer as the Irons look to bolster their midfield options.

Football Insider revealed that the Hammers saw a bid for the Welsh international rejected earlier this month, the Potters holding out for a fee in the region of £8million.

However, Robinson believes the seven-figure fee would not represent decent business for the east Londoners, suggesting he is too similar to mainstay and captain Mark Noble.

"He's still playing week in, week out but a player of that age, it's a short-term solution," Robinson told Football Insider.

"It may suggest they need legs in midfield with Rice and Noble - Noble's not going to be able to play every minute of every game, as much as you'd like him to, and Joe Allen could fit that bill but he's a very similar player to Noble at the moment.

"(Would £8million be good business?) No, definitely not. Not for a player of that age. He's been around a long time, he's experienced but I don't see £8million for a Championship player around 30 as good value to be honest."

Allen, a 53-cap international for Wales, has played 24 times for Stoke in the Championship this season, missing just two games as a result of suspension.

In other West Ham news, it can be REVEALED that the club have opened talks with Joe Cole.