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.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. Hot property: Connor Wickham celebrates after his third goal against DoncasterThe following night Wickham was in the crowd at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal's 2-1 defeat of Barcelona in the Champions League.But his most likely destination in the summer is Spurs, with boss Harry Redknapp understood to have first refusal on the powerfully built teenager.Big hope: Wickham has already been capped at England U21 levelIpswich owner Marcus Evans has already discussed a possible deal with his boardroom colleagues at White Hart Lane.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.Liverpool were previously linked with the player but they have since splashed ?35m on Newcastle's Andy Carroll.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.Meanwhile, Ipswich boss Paul Jewell believes Wickham is destined to become a senior England international.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.'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. '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.'Jewell has confirmed he is trying to bring Aston Villa defender Habib Beye in on loan. 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  Explore more:People: Harry Redknapp, Paul Jewell, Andy Carroll Places: Newcastle, Barcelona, Liverpool, London, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail