Ipswich prepared to sell Wickham for £12m

Ipswich Town are ready to sell Connor Wickham to one of the Premier League big guns if they meet the Championship club's £12 million asking price, Goal.com can disclose.

Liverpool and Arsenal lead the chase for the England Under-21 international, who is the next young English talent on the verge of a seven-figure move this summer.

Liverpool have enquired about the 18-year-old striker - dubbed the 'next Alan Shearer' - in the current transfer window and told Ipswich they would be willing to pay £7m.

Ipswich told the Merseysiders they value Wickham at £14m although sources close to the negotiations have told Goal.com they would accept £12m for the youngster, who was an unused substitute in last Sunday's European Under-21 opener against Spain.

Arsenal have proposed a loan-back deal to Ipswich, whereby they purchase the player and then loan him back to Portman Road for 12 months to continue his football education.

It is understood that Arsene Wenger believes that Wickham is not yet ready to challenge for a place in Arsenal's first-team despite his obvious physical similarities to Nicklas Bendtner, who has expressed a desire to leave Emirates Stadium this summer.

Tottenham had a gentleman's agreement with Ipswich when Roy Keane was manager that they have first refusal on the teenager if the price is right.

Spurs loaned youngsters Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore to Portman Road last season and have a good relationship with the Suffolk club.

Source: Goal.com