Newcastle and Sunderland set for transfer battle

Mirror Football is reporting that Newcastle is ready to join the hunt for Ipswich striker Connor Wickham, however they are likely to face competition for the 18 year old from arch-rivals Sunderland. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is working through an extensive list of targets and Wickham is believed to be an option.

Wickham is the sort of raw talent that Pardew would hope to lure to Newcastle with the promise of more first-team football than he would likely get if he joined a team like Arsenal or Spurs. However, Steve Bruce is looking to substantial add to his striking options next season; Bruce is targeting as many as three new forwards and has described Wickham as the top young striker of his generation.

Wickham has been attracting plenty of interest from Premier League clubs and he has scored 8 league goals this season; Wickham has also represented England at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level. Wickham extended his contract in January until 2013 – but it is believed that there is a clause in the contract that would allow Wickham to move for a fee in the region of £15m, it is also believed that Tottenham have first refusal on the player. Wickham signed an extra one year extension in April committing him until 2014.

Follow James Kent on Twitter @jimlk2007