Jewell: We've Received No Wickham Enquiries
Tuesday, 22nd Feb 2011 09:08

Town manager Paul Jewell says that despite all the speculation, the Blues are yet to receive any enquiries regarding striker Connor Wickham during his time at the club. Tottenham and Liverpool were both represented at Portman Road on Saturday, while Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Sunderland have also been mentioned in connection with the England U21 international in recent weeks.

Spurs are believed to be the frontrunners for the 17-year-old’s signature, but Jewell says that as yet there have been no offers in his time as Blues boss: “There haven’t been any.”

But the Town manager admits that even the biggest clubs eventually receive bids that they can't refuse: “Every player has a price, you ask Manchester United - Ronaldo went. Every player has his price, but I don’t want to sell Connor Wickham.

“To answer the question, I haven’t had the opportunity to sell him because since I’ve been here, no one’s enquired about him, certainly not that I know of anyway.”

Jewell is still looking to add to his squad, believing that his strike force is one area where a boost is required, the Blues having failed to land Charlie Austin — who subsequently joined Burnley from Swindon — during the transfer window: “I feel we’re just lacking that real 25-goal-a-season man that takes you right up the league.

“I’m happy with the way things are progressing. The players have been terrific and I can’t ask any more of them at the moment.

“We’re always looking to improve and sometimes someone gets a chance - Jason Scotland’s got two goals in three games.

“Everyone’s got an opportunity, it’s up to them to prove to me that they want to be here next season. Hopefully they’ll all want to be here, but we can add to that as well.”

While pleased with Carlos Edwards’s performances at right-back, Jewell tried to sign Habib Beye on loan last week having been told that the Senegalese international was keen on a move: “I thought we had the right-back tied up but he decided at the last minute that he wanted to stay at Aston Villa.

“It was a good job we found out that he didn’t want to come on loan before he came here. We don’t want anyone here who doesn’t want to be here.

"We were led to believe he wanted to be here. If someone decides he wants to stay and train with their reserves, perhaps he’s better off doing that."

Jewell says bringing in targets at this point in the campaign can prove difficult: “We are trying to improve all areas, but at this stage of the season, it’s not that easy to get players out of clubs because there are very few games that are meaningless these days.

"With the play-offs and relegation, there are very few teams that want to do anyone a favour.”

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

Greektractor added 09:46 - Feb 22 Keane out
0

BLUEBEAT added 09:47 - Feb 22 stop talking about him then. it's almost as though you're trying to drum up trade. Hmmmmmm
0

bedsitfc added 09:53 - Feb 22 I can't see connor being our player next season but he may get loan back to us. If he is sold then i would hope that out of contract players are re-signed and at least 6 million of it given to pj to improve the squad. If dd, gmac and norris dont re-sign pj will need about 12 million plus.
0

Paulc added 09:58 - Feb 22

Correct BLUEBEAT:

What exactly does the phrase 'Is believed to be' mean anyway. If I tell myself I'll be the next No 9 at PR, does that mean the press can report that 'It is believed that paulc will be the new striker coming in' - (for Town's sake I'm glad that's not true, as i'm 5hit!)

But seriously he might go he might stay, he amy go for £8m, £10m, £20m etc etc etc. If goes he will go for what ever someone is prepared to pay, but until the day does or doesn't come, lets just concentrate on this season. (After all it's not even an issue until the window opens again, and that's months away)

bluetoba added 10:32 - Feb 22 The more big clubs showing interest the better yes.These are big,big clubs mentioned and with more improving performances from the lad it could turn into an intriguing auction.Our chairman has been good for us and 10, 15 mill, whatever, will do wonders.
0

goperryrevs added 10:32 - Feb 22 Bluebeat, If you read the article he says 'to answer the question'. The only reason he keeps talking about him is because he keeps being asked about him. He could say 'no, I refuse to talk about Connor', but that would get pounced on by the press a lot more than his straightforward answers.
0

jas0999 added 10:34 - Feb 22

Whether PJ talks about him or not - the scouts will still flock to watch him play. These big clubs aren't stupid. Even if we put Connor in hiding for the next three months - the offers will come in. Sadly, I doubt he will be an Ipswich player next year. The club and PJ will get little say - if a club meets the clause in Wickham's contract and the player wants to go - that will be the end of it!

sonian_blue added 10:50 - Feb 22

As I have always thought, its speculation.
Scouts are at games at all levels every day of the week, just because they turn up doesnt mean money is on the table, they are merely at work.
I know fees are inflated at the moment but 8m/10m for a 17 year old with potential? Maybe in a couple of years if he keeps progressing.
Lets just get on with our job of earning promotion next season with Connor in the side. That will generate much more than any fees.
COYB Boys

StowTractorBoy added 11:06 - Feb 22

I personally believe Connor will still be here for the duration of next season whether it be loan or on his existing contract. If the boy goes to one of the so called bigger Clubs he may disappear off the radar with few appearances coming his way. His family seem sensible people as does Connor and they will all realise another year here will do him no harm. I hope I am right.

DiamondGezzer added 11:21 - Feb 22

Paulc; Loved the comment about your striking prowess - gave me a good chuckle.
I hope we don't get any serious offers for Connor [ yet ], at the moment he is a part of our upsurge at Portman Road, and long may it continue. I know the arguement about selling him would release money for other positions, but who's to say the money would go on the team anyway, Marcus Evans may decide it could cover his losses for last year !

Mr_Evans added 11:38 - Feb 22

I can't see Connor leaving - this club had allready let a promising striker in Jordan Rhodes leave and if Connor goes for anything less than £12m then it'll be scandalous! Yes people can say he's just a 17 yr old but Evans has to be thinking 'Rooney £23m' and Connor has just as much potential at Rooney did at that age (except being stupidly ugly and having sex with OAP's)

He'll be here at the start of next season, and I'm extremely excited to what it may bring!! COYB!

legoman added 11:49 - Feb 22 Auction in the summer. 30 million I reckon.
0

hollywoodginge added 12:23 - Feb 22 I want him to stay as long as possible however I wanted the same for keiron dyer, but in selling one player (dyer) we built a squad with the funds that gained promotion. One player doesn't make a team and if selling him means we can strengthen all round then I'm all for it, I hope he isn't sold to 'balance the books' though.
0

JohnTy added 12:29 - Feb 22 I wondered how long before someone mentioned Jordan Rhodes, our former promising striker who has now spent almost two seasons in Division 1. If Keano had kept Rhodes and let Wickham go we would not now be having all this trouble from Premier League scouts, so clearly as with much else at Portman Road he is to blame.
0

Mark added 12:42 - Feb 22

I just hope the release clause, if true, is not set too low. Presumably this was agreed as part of his recent contract extension, and I hope it was worth it for the extra year.

Presumably the Spurs "first option" thing is not true, as if so surely they would have had to pay a lot of money up front to make that worth our while (possible avoiding an open auction, albeit perhaps up to a release fee).

Back_The_Boss added 13:27 - Feb 22 Stop talking about it Paul. Try and lower the profile, we don't want to encourage other clubs! COYB.
0

brian_a_mul added 15:03 - Feb 22 Arsenal, Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, Newcastle & Sunderland all interested. No Man City, interesting.... Lets hope City hi-jack any possible deals and add an extra few mill on to price tag! One way or another, Wickham could be the player that propels us forward to the next level.
0

WickedBlue added 15:24 - Feb 22 Everybody seems to forget one thing...does Conner want to go? No deal will be done if the boy wants to stay and from everything he has said he does....So I say he will be here next season as he knows his best option to develop is staying with us...
0

Tractorog added 15:44 - Feb 22

I love watching Wickham play, but if he goes... he goes. Provided we get a good price... if I was Marcus Evans, I might hire a more experienced football contract negotiator than Clegg for this one. (i am not saying sack Clegg).
The Wickham deal could be as defining for our club as the Dyer one was.
Of course if the "must accept bids over" clause is at the 2 packets of rice crispies and a souvineer tea towell price level... then we're doomed.