Manchester United to approach Ipswich starlet and offer seasons loan-back
Manchester United are ready to entertain the idea of purchasing Ipswich starlet and England U21 international Connor Wickham but allowing the youngster to remain at the Championship club on a seasons long loan.
Wickham has been highly admired by the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for some time but Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels the 18 year old has the makings of being England’s next Alan Shearer, a player the Old Trafford manager missed out on when the England international move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United in 1996.
Wickham certainly has the right attributes to become a world class striker although the feeling around Old Trafford is that he needs to play much more first team football before a decision can be made on his long term potential. Liverpool have looked like favourites to land the teenager for some time however it is believed that an offer by Manchester United may swing the favouritism in Manchester’s favour.
A transfer fee of around £12m has been quoted heavily in the press however this is likely to be decreased should Manchester United offer to loan him back to Ipswich instead of elsewhere. Although Liverpool would be in a position to offer the same it is believed the youngster would prefer a move to Old Trafford rather than Merseyside.
The deal will also add weight to claims that both Liverpool and Manchester United are continuing to “Buy British” with their recent purchases of Phil Jones and Jordan Henderson to United and Liverpool respectively.
