Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp hatches plot to sign Connor Wickham
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is seeking first refusal on Ipswich wonderkid Connor Wickham.And Spurs are willing to offer Ipswich manager Paul Jewell the pick of their best youngsters on loan to clinch the agreement. England Under 21 striker Wickham is one of the brightest talents in English football and has been watched by Barclays Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle. On Harry's radar: Ipswich teenager Connor Wickham has been targeted by Spurs But the Spurs boss hopes to steal a march on his rivals by striking an early deal with Ipswich which would see the player remain at Portman Road next season. Despite Wickham's obvious ability, Redknapp is not convinced the 18-year-old is ready for top-flight football, and wants to see him play another Championship season before deciding on a transfer.Temptation: Tottenham could offer young talent such as Andros Townsend on loan as a makeweightSpurs' scouting network will monitor Wickham's progress closely next season with a view to a move for the ?15million-rated forward ahead of the 2012-13 season. Initial talks between the clubs have already taken place and the White Hart Lane club are optimistic that they can agree a deal that would put them first in line to sign the youngster. In return, Redknapp is willing to offer Ipswich his brightest talent - such as defender Steven Caulker, midfielder Jake Livermore and winger Andros Townsend - on loan next season. Meanwhile, Tottenham striker Peter Crouch admits it looks like another winner-takes-all clash against Manchester City will determine who finishes in the final Champions League qualifying position. Spurs are two points behind Roberto Mancini's side, who currently occupy the crucial fourth spot, with six games to play. The teams meet on May 10 in a repeat of last season's Champions League shoot-out at Eastlands which Spurs won 1-0 thanks to Crouch's late goal. 'It might rest on going up there again,' admitted the England striker. 'I hope it does because I enjoyed that one last year, it was great. But I know that this year, they are going to be trying all out. 'We did fantastically well up there last year and hopefully we can repeat that.' It's in our hands! Mancini urgesCity to forget about Spurs in race for fourthGroup warns of a long fight against anti-Semitic chantingStoke boss Pulis tells Spurs to mind their own business over fixture rowAll the latest Tottenham Hotspur FC news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Peter Crouch, Harry Redknapp, Paul Jewell, Roberto Mancini Places: Newcastle, Liverpool, United Kingdom