x

Jewell: No Bids for Wickham - Ipswich Town News

Town are yet to receive bids for striker Connor Wickham or any other members of the squad, according to manager Paul Jewell. Liverpool were reported to have made an offer for Wickham variously claimed to be £8 million or £5.5 million, while Sunderland were also said to have made a move for the 18-year-old England U21 international.

Jewell said: "Everybody is talking about Connor Wickham but we have had no offers for any of our players, and that includes him.

"The good thing about it is that I don’t have to sell anybody, unless it’s an offer that we feel is right for whatever player and we want it to happen or a player doesn’t want to be here.

"There have been enquiries but no offers. Enquiries don’t mean a thing. I could ring Barcelona and enquire about Messi but it doesn’t mean I’ll get him.”

The Blues boss doesn’t expect too much to happen in the transfer market until the end of this month: "Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones have moved for big money but things will really start to hot up when we come back for pre-season [on June 29th in Town's case].

"I know how it works. A manager will think he’s got his squad together then something will happen injury-wise and he’ll start looking around to see what’s available.”

Jewell says the Blues want to keep Wickham but reiterated that every player has his price: "There is no point in getting uptight about it. We don’t want to sell Connor Wickham but if he wants to leave and the right offer comes in, we will have to consider it.

"Connor has never given me any indication that he wants to leave. Our backs are not against the wall, we are in control of the situation.

"At the end of the day football is like everything else. Money is tight, although I know you wouldn’t believe it, looking at some of the transfers at the moment.

"Ipswich Town have been in administration not too long ago. We want to be ambitious but we also have to be realistic. If there is money to spend I want to spend it wisely and how much money there is to spend might depend on who comes in and who goes out. Don’t discount anybody coming in or count anyone out.”

Elsewhere, Town are claimed to be one of a number of sides eyeing Colchester central defender Magnus Okuonghae. Reading are understood to be the frontrunners for the 25-year-old Nigerian’s signature - their skipper Matt Mills believed to be interesting Wolves - with the Blues and Charlton also said to be monitoring the situation.

Contracted to the U’s until 2012, former Rushden and Diamonds, Aldershot, St Albans City, Crawley Town, Dagenham and Redbridge and Weymouth (loan) man Okuonghae is likely to be best remembered by Town fans for scoring a superb own goal during Fabian Wilnis’s testimonial at Portman Road in July 2009.

What to read next:

FA Cup Third Round Draw This Evening
Town will be ball number 18 in this evening’s draw for the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Walton: No One Wants to Be On the Bench
Town goalkeeper Christian Walton hopes to have given manager Kieran McKenna a decision to make with number one Alex Palmer facing an imminent return to fitness.
Town Women End Losing Run With Draw at Durham
Ipswich Town Women ended a run of seven straight defeats in all competitions but remain rooted to the foot of Barclays Women's Super League 2 after an entertaining 1-1 draw away to Durham in which they had the better of the chances during a thrilling second half.
Ipswich Town 3-0 Coventry City - Extended Highlights
Extended highlights of yesterday’s 3-0 home victory over Coventry City.
Town Women at Durham Aiming to End Run of Defeats
Ipswich Town Women face Durham at Maiden Castle Sports Park this afternoon (KO midday, live on YouTube) aiming to arrest a worrying run of seven consecutive defeats in all competitions. Five points adrift at the bottom of WSL2, the Blues are in danger of losing touch with their nearest rivals in the fight to stay in the division.
U18s Beaten By Chelsea
Town’s U18s were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea at Playford Road on Saturday afternoon.
Walton: Big Saves Are What I Judge Myself On
Town goalkeeper Christian Walton was delighted to make two crucial saves during the Blues’ 3-0 victory over Championship leaders Coventry City at Portman Road.
Lampard: Hirst Shouldn't Have Been On the Field
Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard was adamant Town striker George Hirst should have been sent off for a second bookable offence in the first half of the Blues’ 3-0 home victory over the Sky Blues at Portman Road.