LFC plan £10m deal for Ipswich teenager

Liverpool's new owners are ready to back Roy Hodgson in the race for £10million Ipswich wonderkid Connor Wickham.

While Arsenal, Chelsea and, most recently, Tottenham have had approaches rejected, the injury crisis at Portman Road and struggles of Roy Keane's Championship side have caused a rethink, especially with Liverpool prepared to match their valuation for the 17-year-old striker.

Tottenham were willing to offer £8.5m based on appearances but Liverpool are ready to be more decisive. Under new owners John Henry and Tom Werner they are seeking to recruit the best young English talent.

They will pay Ipswich's price and are confident that Wickham, a Liverpool fan who cites Fernando Torres as his favourite player, wants to join.

Hodgson had the 6ft 3in teenager watched extensively while he was managing Fulham and has followed him closely since.

Wickham shot to prominence with England Under 17s in the European Championship last May and has already represented England at Under 21 level.

Ironically, it is his own ankle and knee injuries which have heightened Ipswich's injury concerns and shown up the limitations in Keane's squad.

The club's youngest ever player has managed only three starts all season, while progress into the Carling Cup semi-finals for his club has accompanied a worrying fall down the table to 17th place. That is the result of five straight league defeats - Ipswich's worst sequence for 15 years.

While signing Wickham would be regarded as a major coup on Merseyside and confirm Hodgson's 'Buy British' policy for Liverpool, his departure could be pivotal to Keane's future at Ipswich.

The Irishman has argued the case for squad reinforcements all season but with a sudden windfall at their disposal, the Ipswich board will deliberate over whether they want Keane or another manager to spend it in the transfer market.

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