Chelsea are the favourites to sign 16-year-old Town striker Connor Wickham, according to a tabloid report this morning. The Premier League leaders, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all said to have sent scouts to watch yesterday’s 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday during which Wickham was an unused sub.
Wickham is unable to sign a professional contract until he is 17 in March and Chelsea are reported to be willing to offer the Blues £5 million plus further top-ups which could eventually rise to three times that figure should the 6ft 3in frontman progress as hoped.
It would be a surprise if Chelsea were to offer a deal such as that given that Crystal Palace received significantly less when similarly rated youngster John Bostock joined Tottenham in 2008.
Then the sides failed to come to an agreement and a Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) tribunal, run by the PFA, set a fee of £700,000 plus add-ons rising in steps up to £1.25 million after he makes five, 10, 20, 30 and 40 appearances, another £200,000 on his full international debut and a 15% sell-on.
On Friday, manager Roy Keane said the Blues had not been contacted by any club regarding Wickham and dismissed the recent links with Premier League sides as speculation.
Keane also said he feels Portman Road is the best place for the England U17 international to continue his football education.