Hit man: Wickham
has represented England at U16, U17, U19 and U21
level
Sunderland have
agreed a £13million
deal for Ipswich forward Connor Wickham.
The fee would mean £5m being
paid up front for the 6ft 3in England Under 21 striker, who at 18
is seen as one of the country's brightest prospects.
Having now agreed a fee,
Ipswich may receive further bids from the likes of Liverpool,
Arsenal and Tottenham.
Wickham joined Ipswich's
academy system and became the youngest player in the club's history
when, as a 16 year old, he came on as a second-half substitute
against Doncaster in April 2009.
He scored nine goals in 37
league appearances last season and was a member of Stuart Pearce's
Under 21 squad for the European Championship in Denmark.
Prize asset: Ipswich in no rush to sell Connor
Wickham (left)
Ipswich boss Paul
Jewell insists the Championship club are in no rush to sell their
prized asset.
He said: 'There is no point in
getting uptight about it. We don't want to sell Connor Wickham but
if he wants to leave and the right offer comes in we will have to
consider it.
'Connor has never given me any
indication that he wants to leave. Our backs are not against the
wall and we are in control of the situation.'
Sunderland are also preparing
to make a £7m bid for Reading striker Shane Long.
Manager Steve Bruce hopes to
sneak ahead of Newcastle and Wolves in the race for the Republic of
Ireland forward, who is 24.
