Liverpool have reportedly been told by Ipswich to double their offer for sought-after youngster Connor Wickham to £11 million if they are to have any chance of signing the 18-year-old striker.
Big-spending Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish has apparently offered £5.5 million for the player currently on England duty at the European Under-21 Championship in Denmark and with Sunderland having also declared an interest — and not been put off by the asking price — he would appear to have no alternative but to substantially increase his offer.
Ironically, having sold midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20 million, the Black Cats have money to spend, although it remains to be seen whether or not Wickham would be interested in a move to Wearside, even if the two clubs were to agree a fee.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is a long-term admirer of Wickham, having made a vain bid to sign him two years ago, offering a lump-sum payment and FOUR players — Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards, who were subsequently bought by then Town boss Roy Keane, as well as Dean Whitehead and Daryl Murphy, who later moved to Portman Road on loan.
Wickham is said to have told friends he would prefer a move to Liverpool and Dalglish is widely expected to improve his initial offer in an attempt to persuade Ipswich to do a deal that would amount to a new club record, dwarfing the £6.5 million paid by Newcastle for Kieron Dyer in 1999.
Elsewhere, it is being reported that newly-relegated Birmingham City are considering a £2 million bid for Town midfielder Grant Leadbitter, and that Ipswich have all but secured the signature of central defender Ivar Ingimarsson, 33, following his release by Reading. As previously reported by TWTD, the player was at Portman Road last week for talks and a medical, and it appears only the necessary paperwork is to be completed.
Former Ipswich striker Jordan Rhodes, 21, is said to be unsettled at Huddersfield, where he was top scorer last season. Rhodes is anxious to clarify his situation after Millwall had a recent £700,000 bid for him rejected.
Another former Town star, 32-year-old midfielder Tommy Miller, is said to be interesting Charlton Athletic after his release last month by their League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Meanwhile, ex-Town winger Bobby Petta is being asked to consider a comeback with Scottish part-timers Alloa Athletic. After three seasons at Portman Road the 36-year-old Dutchman moved to Celtic 12 years ago and was a big favourite during five years at Parkhead. He is now back in Scotland running a fitness business and has been asked to come out of retirement by another ex-Celtic player in Paul Hartley, who was recently installed as Alloa’s new manager.