Town are remaining tight-lipped regarding last night’s report that a £13 million deal has been agreed with Sunderland for striker Connor Wickham. TWTD understands that an offer of £9 million plus clauses totalling an additional £4 million is indeed on the table but with the clubs still discussing the proposed deal.
Town's general policy is not to comment on transfer speculation, chief executive Simon Clegg outlining this approach at last week's Nathan Ellington press conference: "When we have something to say, we’ll say it but I don’t comment on speculation or whatever is out there on the Internet. It’s foolish to do so and it’s a policy I’ve had since I’ve been at the club."
Yesterday’s tabloid report appears to have jumped the gun slightly in claiming that the offer has been accepted by the Blues, however, we understand that an agreement regarding the terms on which the 18-year-old frontman could join the Black Cats may not be too far away with talks continuing.
Despite previous suggestions from manager Paul Jewell that Wickham might not be interested in signing for one of the Premier League’s lesser lights, if a deal is agreed with the Wearsiders and no other offers are forthcoming, it’s difficult to see the Hereford-born frontman turning the move down.
Sunderland have stolen a march on the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal by firming up their interest in the England U21 international, making a bid which would make him the most expensive player to have moved from the Championship to the Premier League without previous experience in the top flight. In 2006 Theo Walcott made the switch from Southampton to Arsenal for a fee which, after a renegotiation in 2008, eventually totalled £9 million, having initially been set at £12 million including clauses.
The deal would also make Wickham Town’s most expensive sale, smashing the £6.5 million Newcastle paid the Blues for Kieron Dyer in the summer of 1999.