Connor Wickham for £10million?

[King Binny]

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 thatWickham, 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.

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.

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.

 

[King Binny]

connor wickham

Name: Connor Wickham
Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 31/03/1993
Height: 6' 3" (191cm)
Weight: 11st 6lbs (72.64kg)
Position: Striker

After becoming Ipswich’s youngest-ever player in the 2008-2009 season, at 16 years and 11 days, Wickham was a regular in Roy Keane’s squad this season, earning reviews that could have turned the head of a less grounded individual. But with a sound family background, the former Manchester United captain as his club manager and John Peacock leading this England group, the powerfully built striker is so eminently sensible that he sounds like a young James Milner.

He has an agent — Paul Goddard, the former Ipswich and West Ham United player — but “I just leave it to my dad. I know he’s always going to be there for me so I leave everything with him and he’ll sort it out. Then I can concentrate on my football.â€

The 6ft 3in target man has signed a kit deal with Umbro but he knows not to act like a kid in a sweet shop. “When you’re a footballer, things are going to come your way and you’ve got to be responsible with everything you do,†he said.

The one moment that did frazzle his senses was when, seven months after scoring twice in a Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town, he opened his goalscoring account in league football with a stoppage-time winner against Scunthorpe United in March. “I just lost my head,†he said. “It was the best moment I’ve had in football so far. There’d been a lot of times when I’d got on [as a substitute] but hadn’t scored.

“Because it was the 93rd minute, I just ran off to the touchline towards the fitness coach and got bundled by all the players. My parents recorded it so we’ve watched it over and over again.†After a few sensible words from Keane Wickham and his family celebrated with a Chinese takeaway.

A Liverpool fan whose role model is Fernando Torres, Wickham spent four years on Reading’s books, living in Aldershot, before his father’s job in the Army led them to Colchester and trials with Ipswich. He made sure he studied sufficiently hard to gain eight A-C grade GCSEs before leaving Philip Morant School last summer.

“He’s a very level-headed young man,†Peacock said. “I think he’s at the right club and Roy’s done a really good job with him, steadily developing him. He’s a goalscorer but he’s matured a lot in his build-up play.

“Physically he’s a real specimen of a young man so it’s no surprise he’s dealing with the physical demands of Championship football. He’s had a lot of accolades this year but he’s dealt with t all in a very mature manner. Within this peer group, he’s just one of the 18. That can only be of benefit to the team.â€

 

[Mistadobalina]

Hmm, 4 goals in 38 games. Still i suppose you have to look at the bigger picture with one so young.

 

[kingjulian]

I haven't seen this lad play much. But someone on here was saying that he is a talent. I will have to go with that...

Besides, if he is an upgrade on N'Gog, i would consider this a good deal, provided we sell N'Gog (5m easily?) and bring in an experienced striker who is ready to play now for our first team.

 

[IGotALuvlyBunchOfCoconuts]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=43069.msg1229075#msg1229075 date=1291611187]
I haven't seen this lad play much. But someone on here was saying that he is a talent. I will have to go with that...

[/quote]

Well lets hope that someone isn't the KHL of English players.

 

[jexykrodic]

It's when I read things like '£10 million wonderkid' that I despair and know I've been watching too long.

Seriously who and how comes up with a valuation like that for a juvenile?

If you were to make speculative decisions like that in business you'd be certified. The game has gone mad.

 

[Pesam]

I've probably seen Ipswich about 8 times in the last 12 months and have only seen Wickham for a total of about 45 minutes. He could challenge Chris Kirkland for the "sicknote" crown. Hopefully these are just growing pains and he will fulfill his promise but £10m seems a bit steep for someone so rarely seen in action.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Yeah, the injuries are worrying, and the price does seem extraordinary. But IF he's the talent everyone seems to think, then he could easily be worth twice that in a few years. It's a gamble, but I do think it's the *kind* of gamble we should be taking. Whether Wickham is the right one to sign, I'll leave up to the scouts and medical people.

 

[RedStar]

I like him, saw him once or twice last year and hes clearly a big talent for his age, his style reminds me alot of Torres too, hadnt heard about his injury problems but regardless I think 10 million is too much, 6 rising to 8 based on caps etc would be a more reasonable fee I think. If we could give them a couple of our fringe players in exchange to bring down the fee it would be ok

 

[ILD]

It would be nice if he could be our Bale or Ramsey.

 

[Ryan]

This kid is going to be outstanding. As pesam says he's an injury nightmare, but is well worth the gamble.

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=43069.msg1229309#msg1229309 date=1291658300]
This kid is going to be outstanding. As pesam says he's an injury nightmare, but is well worth the gamble.
[/quote]

Why Ryan? I haven't seen him play.

 

[Buddha]

Liverpool to miss out on Connor Wickham as teenage striker favours Arsenal or Tottenham
Spurs in pole position for Ipswich sensation despite £10m Anfield bid

6 Dec 2010 12:08:00
By Greg Stobart | Northern Correspondent

Ipswich Town sensation Connor Wickham is ready to reject a move to Liverpool as he wants to join Arsenal or Tottenham in January, Goal.com UK can reveal.

Liverpool are hoping to win the race for the highly regarded striker by meeting the £10 million asking price set by Ipswich.

But Goal.com UK understands Wickham has sparked a battle in north London for his signature by telling Ipswich he favours a move to Arsenal or Spurs.

Tottenham are concerned about the size of the transfer fee but remain in pole position to sign the 17-year-old wonderkid and are prepared to offer £5.5m plus youngsters Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore, who are currently impressing on loan at Portman Road.

It is believed Ipswich would be prepared to accept the offer but may demand Giovani dos Santos on loan to clinch the deal. The Mexican star is out of favour at White Hart Lane and had a successful previous loan spell at Ipswich in 2009.

As Goal.com UK revealed in October, Arsenal have also been scouting Wickham but are yet to make a formal approach for the England under-21 international.

Ipswich were initially determined to hold on to Wickham until at least next summer but now appear ready to sanction a sale in the January transfer window.

 

[Hansern]

It's Goal.com though

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I wonder if we could get Lukaku for 10 mill?

 

[TheBunnyman]

Eh, I thought he was a Red? The cunt.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=43069.msg1229597#msg1229597 date=1291670659]
I wonder if we could get Lukaku for 10 mill?
[/quote]

Closer to 20mil would be my guess for that talent

 

[peterhague]

[quote author=Fabio link=topic=43069.msg1229797#msg1229797 date=1291675492]
[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=43069.msg1229597#msg1229597 date=1291670659]
I wonder if we could get Lukaku for 10 mill?
[/quote]

Closer to 20mil would be my guess for that talent
[/quote]

aye. there was some amusingly translated belgian article about anderlecht's valuation recently, something along the lines of, 'he who approaches bearing euros 20 million impertinently shall be dismissed without investigation'.

 

[King Binny]

Keane said: 'There aren't many Connor Wickhams around. You've got to be careful not to get blasé about Connor and say "we'll take £7m or £8m for him".

'I have a certain figure in my head that we'd have to consider. I think Connor and his agent would have that as well.

'The big teams wouldn't be buying him for what he's doing now. They're going to buy him for what he can do in four or five years' time – his potential.

'Whether that's Tottenham or Liverpool or whoever, but United had to buy Rooney for £28m when he was 18.

'Can Connor be as good as him? I think he has the potential, but that's up to the club. I don't think the club has had any concrete offers yet.'

 

[Buddha]

I've got a feeling we'll outbid all and get him.

Wickham would be a pretty strong signal to the rest of the league that NESV mean business in going after the best young talent around.

 

[King Binny]

The comments from Keane and now Clegg aren't hands-off messages then.

Clegg told the club's official website: "The strategy we have here is that if we get an offer in excess of the value we put on a player then it would be stupid of us not to consider such offers.

"If you look at the Jon Walters situation people will recognise that to be a very good deal, with the club receiving up to £3.4million for him from Stoke.

"So we will look at each offer.

"But there are no offers on the table for Connor at this moment in time."

 

[Irish_Red]

Ipswich lost something like £14 million over the last year so if the right bid comes in they'l bite the buying clubs hand off but £10 million is a big gamble considering his injury problems. Best to stay clear until he gets a good run of games under his belt and scores a few in the process.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=RedStar link=topic=43069.msg1229101#msg1229101 date=1291627605]
I like him, saw him once or twice last year and hes clearly a big talent for his age, his style reminds me alot of Torres too, hadnt heard about his injury problems but regardless I think 10 million is too much, 6 rising to 8 based on caps etc would be a more reasonable fee I think. If we could give them a couple of our fringe players in exchange to bring down the fee it would be ok
[/quote]

That is that tack we usually take and have missed out on players by shilly shallying. I think if you really need/want/believe in someone you should pay what is being asked (as long as it's not mega stupid) and not fuck about and have someone come in and trump you

regards

 

[Squiggles]

I generally agree and I don't mind paying a premium for young talent, because their value will often at least match what you pay and possibly go on to rise. My issue is whether we have seen him enough/Wickham has played enough for us to shell out the likes of £10M for him.

At this stage it still seems quite risky.

 

[PaulGorst]

At this stage, we simply cannot afford to throw £10m on a 17-year old lad. He may or may not become the next best thing in English football and I wouldn't mind half that on him maybe, but at a time when we need to desperately get back in the Champions League places and we're from favourites to do so we need to be buying proven quality.

 

[vikas]

[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231171#msg1231171 date=1291912606]
At this stage, we simply cannot afford to throw £10m on a 17-year old lad. He may or may not become the next best thing in English football and I wouldn't mind half that on him maybe, but at a time when we need to desperately get back in the Champions League places and we're from favourites to do so we need to be buying proven quality.
[/quote] O rly?..

 

[PaulGorst]

[quote author=vikas link=topic=43069.msg1231173#msg1231173 date=1291912843]
[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231171#msg1231171 date=1291912606]
At this stage, we simply cannot afford to throw £10m on a 17-year old lad. He may or may not become the next best thing in English football and I wouldn't mind half that on him maybe, but at a time when we need to desperately get back in the Champions League places and we're from favourites to do so we need to be buying proven quality.
[/quote] O rly?..
[/quote]

Come on mate, we haven't had a pot to piss in for the last few years, are you saying it would be viable to spend £10m on a 17-year old?

 

[Squiggles]

Re: Connor Wickham for £10million?

[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231175#msg1231175 date=1291913213]
[quote author=vikas link=topic=43069.msg1231173#msg1231173 date=1291912843]
[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231171#msg1231171 date=1291912606]
At this stage, we simply cannot afford to throw £10m on a 17-year old lad. He may or may not become the next best thing in English football and I wouldn't mind half that on him maybe, but at a time when we need to desperately get back in the Champions League places and we're from favourites to do so we need to be buying proven quality.
[/quote] O rly?..
[/quote]

Come on mate, we haven't had a pot to piss in for the last few years, are you saying it would be viable to spend £10m on a 17-year old?
[/quote]

Did you miss the new ownership saga?

Nobody knows what we have to spend, so assuming either way seems ill-advised to me.

 

[peekay]

[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231175#msg1231175 date=1291913213]
[quote author=vikas link=topic=43069.msg1231173#msg1231173 date=1291912843]
[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231171#msg1231171 date=1291912606]
At this stage, we simply cannot afford to throw £10m on a 17-year old lad. He may or may not become the next best thing in English football and I wouldn't mind half that on him maybe, but at a time when we need to desperately get back in the Champions League places and we're from favourites to do so we need to be buying proven quality.
[/quote] O rly?..
[/quote]

Come on mate, we haven't had a pot to piss in for the last few years, are you saying it would be viable to spend £10m on a 17-year old?
[/quote]

NESV just committed to 300 million for 2 players (spread over 7 years) for the Red Sox last week. I think we may be able to afford this lad if he is worth it.

 

[PaulGorst]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=43069.msg1231177#msg1231177 date=1291913711]
[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231175#msg1231175 date=1291913213]
[quote author=vikas link=topic=43069.msg1231173#msg1231173 date=1291912843]
[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=43069.msg1231171#msg1231171 date=1291912606]
At this stage, we simply cannot afford to throw £10m on a 17-year old lad. He may or may not become the next best thing in English football and I wouldn't mind half that on him maybe, but at a time when we need to desperately get back in the Champions League places and we're from favourites to do so we need to be buying proven quality.
[/quote] O rly?..
[/quote]

Come on mate, we haven't had a pot to piss in for the last few years, are you saying it would be viable to spend £10m on a 17-year old?
[/quote]

Did you miss the new ownership saga?

Nobody knows what we have to spend, so assuming either way seems ill-advised to me.
[/quote]


New ownership? what's all this?
But yeah you're right, nobody knows what knows what we have to spend, but Im working under the idea that what we do have, we need to spend on somebody proven. We're hardly the finished article in terms of being a squad are we?