Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham to pip Arsenal to land £15m-rated Connor Wickham
Tottenham will fight off London rivals Arsenal to sign Ipswich boy wonder Connor Wickham in the summer.[LNB]Wickham, who will be 18 next month, is one of the country's most sought-after youngsters. His value has soared to ?15million following his first senior hat-trick in the Tractor Boys' 6-0 demolition of Doncaster on Tuesday.[LNB] Hot property: Connor Wickham celebrates after his third goal against Doncaster[LNB]The following night Wickham was in the crowd at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal's 2-1 defeat of Barcelona in the Champions League.[LNB]But his most likely destination in the summer is Spurs, with boss Harry Redknapp understood to have first refusal on the powerfully built teenager.[LNB]Big hope: Wickham has already been capped at England U21 level[LNB]Ipswich owner Marcus Evans has already discussed a possible deal with his boardroom colleagues at White Hart Lane.[LNB]Last month Wickham extended his contract through to the summer of 2013 but, significantly, it features a clause that will trigger a move once a club matches the specified sum.[LNB]Liverpool were previously linked with the player but they have since splashed ?35m on Newcastle's Andy Carroll.[LNB]And while the Geordies have considered Wickham as a possible replacement Tottenham have been kept abreast of developments and Redknapp is confident of clinching a deal.[LNB]Meanwhile, Ipswich boss Paul Jewell believes Wickham is destined to become a senior England international.[LNB]He has already won Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 honours, and Jewell said: 'He can go all the way. But he still needs to improve in a lot of areas and he knows that himself.[LNB]'He is quick, strong and has all the tools to be a top player. Connor is very mature, although I think he has a tattoo that is spelt wrong. [LNB]'But seriously he is a very nice lad, if a bit too laid-back at times. I'd like to see him be a bit more aggressive.'[LNB]Jewell has confirmed he is trying to bring Aston Villa defender Habib Beye in on loan.[LNB] Doncaster 0 Ipswich 6: Hat-trick hero Wickham stars as Tractor Boys run riot Liverpool and Arsenal target Wickham signs new deal to stay at IpswichAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Harry Redknapp, Paul Jewell, Andy Carroll Places: Newcastle, Barcelona, Liverpool, London, United Kingdom
