Sunderland look likely to have begun the expected summer bidding war for Connor Wickham by offering the Blues an initial £8 million for the 18-year-old striker. Other clubs are almost certain to follow suit with Liverpool, Spurs and the rest of the Premier League’s bigger clubs having been keeping an eye on the Hereford-born frontman since his days in Town's Playford Road academy.

The Black Cats’ offer, the first Town have received for the England U21 international, is understood to include clauses which will take the fee beyond £10 million if achievement and appearance clauses are triggered.

Sunderland have been interested in Wickham for some while, manager Steve Bruce making an audacious but unsuccessful four-man swap offer involving Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards, Dean Whitehead and Daryl Murphy two years ago shortly after his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane took over at Portman Road.

Even if Town accept the bid, which they would appear certain not to do with so many other parties interested, Wickham is unlikely to join Sunderland with Blues boss Paul Jewell saying in March that one-time Reading academy schoolboy would only be interested in moving to one of the Premier League’s bigger clubs.

The Wearsiders firming up their interest is likely to lead to other clubs following suit with Liverpool, erroneously reported to have made a bid earlier in the month and the side Wickham supported as a boy, probably the favourites to eventually land the striker.

Wickham is contracted to the Blues until 2014 and while Town are not actively looking to sell, it’s believed there is a clause in the youngster’s deal which means he can talk to another club if they make an offer at a set level, believed to be somewhere between £10 million and £15 million.

Photo: Action Images

SamWhiteUK added 14:05 - Jun 22 I met Connor Wickham not long ago, and he didn't seem like he was arrogant or cocky, he seemed genuine and level-headed. I think he will realise he is better off here.
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barnettractor added 14:19 - Jun 22 There is no guarantee that if we sell Wickham all the cash will be given to PJ to buy additional players. Furthermore, even if this happens, there is no guarantee that this will get us promoted. In the Championship over the last couple of years, the likes of Blackpool, Norwich and Swansea have all achieved promotion without massive injections of cash to buy new players. Furthermore, plenty of teams who have thrown cash at transfers and wages are still here, Us, Leicester, Cardiff, Middlesbrough etc In an ideal world, I would like Connor to stay, AND PJ make sensible additions to the squad. Saying all that, contracts are contracts, and when the release clause is triggered, if Connor wants to talk and leave, the club then has its hands tied.

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itfcjames added 14:22 - Jun 22 A very level-headed lad, but when his childhood club offers him a chance to play in the Premier League and a contract to match, even he might be tempted (I hope Dalglish has run out of money for strikers). I'm unsure whether or not we should sell. On the one hand, when he's been played up-front, he's hardly looked a "class above" this league, but on the other hand, he was played in a 4-3-3 and on the left wing for most of the season. A lot of potential and personally would love to see him here and not sell, as even with £12 million, I'm not sure if we could tempt an equal replacement here. Cannot stop replaying the Sheffield United goal on the BBC website - the fact that it's the second most watched clip today after Wimbledon isn't exactly lowering his profile either.

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Lightningboy added 14:27 - Jun 22 Wouldn't bother going up there if I were you Connor..they struggled badly 2nd half of last season and probably will do so again this..Bruce will probably be on his way by xmas..a dull club in the same vein as a blackburn or a wigan - you're better than them. Stick with us son and be part of the itfc promotion party next april/may.
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Legend added 14:51 - Jun 22 I heard that PJ will noly be allowed to spend in transfers what the club makes over 10 million, but then again thats only what i have heard like most of the made up crap on here, like Its a donr deal for Liverpool for 12 mill in the next 7 days blah blahdy blah!! We are not a selling club and we dont need to sell Conner. Conner is a level headed lad and knows he has the world at his feel, He also knows that he is a young lad and has a lot to learn. He will start most games for us next season where as he would be an unused sub most of the time at Liverpool etc. If the club sells him it will be a big mistake in my opinion. Keep him until this time next year and see what him and Chops can do this season.

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Legend added 14:53 - Jun 22 Sorry bout the typos. typed in a hurry at work. ;-)
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joshberry94 added 16:04 - Jun 22 guentchev - i hope your having a laugh, Luke Chadwick???? a player who can make a huge difference at this level? even worse he's an ex-budgie!!!
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itfcjc added 17:12 - Jun 22 Not sure if Connor would want to go up there when bigger teams want him back off Sunderland not for 8million
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Daleyitfc added 17:13 - Jun 22 Just invite sealed bids by a certain date and let him go to the highest bidder : anything above this initial figure would be a massive bonus, because in 3 years' time he will be as big a success as Dean Bowditch.
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runaround added 17:32 - Jun 22 I really think Connor will be better off staying at ITFC for 1 more year, either as an ITFC player or on a season-long loanback. To spend next season on the bench of a premier side or in their reserves could put his career on hold or damage it as per Richard Wright. As long as he doesn't get unsettled by all the speculation, I think he will realise he's better of here too. The problem is how much of an offer it would take to make ME think of cashing in...if he gets twitchy then CW might be off. For me the worst case scenario would be for him to leave then be loaned back to another championship club...that would really hurt

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lewishamblue added 17:49 - Jun 22 To be brutally honest I do not think he is worth anything like this sort of money. Never seen him have an oustanding game. If he has can anyone tell me when? Take the money Clegg and feel smug when he is sold for a smaller fee by Sunderland in a couple of years.
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dugoutdave added 18:19 - Jun 22 http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/chris-young-column/sunderland
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AndyUK61873 added 18:54 - Jun 22 Not sure i get the whole 1.5m piece not having to be paid to Sunderland, surely we pay Cardiff and they pay Sunderland.....
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fourth added 19:09 - Jun 22 Well it's really a question of timing Premier division clubs can afford the time for talent to mature Here in the ChampDivII we need action over 12 months. Wickham is a better cash opportunity for us than as a developing player
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Marshalls_Mullet added 22:14 - Jun 22 Daley - Not sure you can compare Wickham to Bowditch? Physically able to handle himself at the age of 16 and even more so now. Remember Bowditch's 22 MONTH goal drought?? Not sure his attitude was right judging by this article; http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/1003247.bowditch_wants_to_make_up_for_lost_time/
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johnhazelbum added 00:16 - Jun 28 Mid-table or dicing with relegation it is then.
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kozmik added 10:44 - Jun 28 Seems Sven has more pulling power than PJ. We still urgently need a RB, centre-half and at least one combative midfielder.
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