EXCLUSIVE
Kop shop: Liverpool are lining up a £10million deal
to prise Ipswich's high-coveted teenager Wickham
Liverpool's new owners are ready to back Roy
Hodgson in the race for £10million Ipswich wonderkid Connor
Wickham.
While Arsenal, Chelsea and, most recently, Tottenham have
had approaches rejected, the injury crisis at Portman Road and
struggles of Roy Keane's Championship side have caused a rethink,
especially with Liverpool prepared to match their valuation for the
17-year-old striker.
Tottenham were willing to offer £8.5m based on appearances
but Liverpool are ready to be more decisive. Under new owners John
Henry and Tom Werner they are seeking to recruit the best young
English talent.
They will pay Ipswich's price and are confident that
Wickham, a Liverpool fan who cites Fernando Torres as his favourite
player, wants to join.
Hodgson had the 6ft 3in teenager watched extensively while
he was managing Fulham and has followed him closely
since.
Wickham shot to prominence with England Under 17s in the
European Championship last May and has already represented England
at Under 21 level.
Buy British: Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson had Wickham
tracked during his days in charge at Fulham
Ironically, it is his own ankle and knee injuries
which have heightened Ipswich's injury concerns and shown up the
limitations in Keane's squad.
The club's youngest ever player has managed only three
starts all season, while progress into the Carling Cup semi-finals
for his club has accompanied a worrying fall down the table to 17th
place. That is the result of five straight league defeats -
Ipswich's worst sequence for 15 years.
Teenage kicks: England youngster Wickham is wanted
by a host of top clubs, including Tottenham
While signing Wickham would be regarded as a major
coup on Merseyside and confirm Hodgson's 'Buy British' policy for
Liverpool, his departure could be pivotal to Keane's future at
Ipswich.
The Irishman has argued the case for squad reinforcements
all season but with a sudden windfall at their disposal, the
Ipswich board will deliberate over whether they want Keane or
another manager to spend it in the transfer market