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.

Photo: Action Images

AbujaBlue added 16:14 - Jun 12 Everything that needs to be said about that offer has been said! But signing Ingimarsson would be great new for our defence, hope that one comes through.
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Tillz9 added 16:15 - Jun 12 £10m minimum for me. People say he isn't worth that but Arsenal set the bar that high with Walcott. To be honest we are in a good situation. He is contracted for another 3 years and have by the sounds of things quoted what we wante for him. It's now up to the clubs wanting him to put up or shut up !!
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Marshalls_Mullet added 16:57 - Jun 12 Robbing scousers!!
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fatboyakasha added 17:07 - Jun 12 Who cares about Wickham? Well I do. I'd love him to stay, but for £11 mil! yes please. And to Get Rhodes back would be great. Like we loaned him for 2 seasons. He's definitely gained some experience. I'm more excited at the prospect of him returning than anything else tbh.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 17:17 - Jun 12 Fatboy - There is nothing in the story linking us with Rhodes. There is probably no desire from him to come back, ITFC sacked his dad and sold him.
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sm1ffy added 17:36 - Jun 12 As much as I love having wickham at PR if we were to get an offer of double figures then we have to take it. Some people saying he's not worth 10m + and your probably right but because of the way big clubs spend money so stupidly these days they will pay us that for wickham and we will happily take it
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TractorRoyNo1 added 18:08 - Jun 12 we should compare him with what arsenal paid for walcott and spurs paid for bale
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WickedBlue added 18:12 - Jun 12 £5.5m for Wickham?!?!?! Tell the scousers they need to nick a lot more car stereos in order to get him.....
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TractorRoyNo1 added 18:14 - Jun 12 if £700k - £1m is his current value, then it looks like we got a decent price for him in the first place sammyitfc added 15:39 - Jun 12 Rhodes - We let him go for next to nothing and have paid the price. All I can say on that one really.
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Keaneish added 18:40 - Jun 12 Sign Jordan Rhodes! I've heard he's pretty decent!!!!
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Garv added 18:54 - Jun 12 New poll on Wickham staying/being sold Phil?
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Umros added 19:05 - Jun 12 Soon as we get that 11 mill take it, i'll think you'll find we won't know much about him in a few years time, goal scoring speaks for itself. 2 mill for Leadbitter, christ, quick take it!
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dubzyluvschips added 19:14 - Jun 12 CW would get 20 goals next season, if we sell then we have to get a quality partner in alongside Chopra. Somebody mobile that annoys the hell out of defenders, i'd love to see Billy Sharp signed
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Lightningboy added 22:07 - Jun 12 £5.5M?!!!!....whatta cheek. Leadbitter on the other hand can go for £2M..been a huge flop in my opinion..hopefully we can use that cash to secure Sir Jimmy Bullard once and for all.
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ITFC1812 added 12:20 - Jun 13 "Tottenham have made a 5.5million + Giovani dos santos bid for Ipswich's prodigy ; Connor Wickham". Source: from Journo on transfer rumour site.
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nkotb_sect5 added 13:43 - Jun 13 HELP please. What has Fifa 11 got to do with the real world? Apologies if I'm missing soething obvious.
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