LFC signal youthful intent with £8m offer

Liverpool, who are already targeting Sunderland's 20 year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson, have made another statement of their intent to invest in young talent by offering £8 million for Ipswich Town’s highly-rated striker Connor Wickham.

The Championship side have turned down the bid as too low and will demand at least £10 million for the 18 year-old, who helped England's Under-17 side win the European Championship last summer.

Liverpool had made inquiries about Wickham last January when Fernando Torres indicated his desire to leave Anfield, but were put off by the £15 million Ipswich were asking at the time.

The 6ft 3in Wickham, who has been compared to former England striker Alan Shearer, agreed to extend his contract by two years until 2013, and the deal was updated in April to run until 2014 - although it is believed to contain an escape clause for £15 million.

Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, is keen to tie up the Henderson deal as soon as possible, having reportedly made an improved £15million bid for the England midfielder.

The Wearsiders were not commenting on the matter, but it is understood they are well aware of Liverpool's interest and remain unmoved in their stance that the player is not for sale.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has informally placed a value of around £20 million on the player, an acknowledgement of the figure it might take to persuade his current employers to think about any offer.

However, the intention is still to place the Academy graduate at the centre of the club's plans for the new campaign and in the circumstances, Liverpool's interest in him is both unwelcome and potentially divisive.

Liverpool's pursuit of striker Kenwyne Jones, along with that of Tottenham in Jan 2009, had the effect of unsettling the player, and while he ultimately stayed at the Stadium of Light after signing a new and improved contract, his form dipped and he was eventually sold to Stoke.

Sunderland will hope their interest in Henderson, who is currently away on England Under-21 duty, does not turn his head with the midfielder leading the way for a new generation of home-grown players on Wearside.

Speculation over his future has been rife since his form for Sunderland won him a regular starting berth two seasons ago and his elevation to the England squad. Manchester United and Manchester City have both been credited with an interest in him in the recent past.

Dalglish has also been linked with a move for Bruce's skipper Lee Cattermole, whose time at the Stadium of Light has been blighted by injuries. 

Source: Daily Telegraph