Sunderland to trigger Wickham auction after £13m offer?
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Sunderland trigger Wickham auction after Black Cats agree £13m deal for Ipswich starlet
Hit man: Wickham has represented England at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level
Sunderland have agreed a £13million deal for Ipswich forward Connor Wickham.
The fee would mean £5m being paid up front for the 6ft 3in England Under 21 striker, who at 18 is seen as one of the country's brightest prospects.
Having now agreed a fee, Ipswich may receive further bids from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Wickham joined Ipswich's academy system and became the youngest player in the club's history when, as a 16 year old, he came on as a second-half substitute against Doncaster in April 2009.
He scored nine goals in 37 league appearances last season and was a member of Stuart Pearce's Under 21 squad for the European Championship in Denmark.
Prize asset: Ipswich in no rush to sell Connor Wickham (left)
Ipswich boss Paul Jewell insists the Championship club are in no rush to sell their prized asset.
He said: 'There is no point in getting uptight about it. We don't want to sell Connor Wickham but if he wants to leave and the right offer comes in we will have to consider it.
'Connor has never given me any indication that he wants to leave. Our backs are not against the wall and we are in control of the situation.'
Sunderland are also preparing to make a £7m bid for Reading striker Shane Long.
Manager Steve Bruce hopes to sneak ahead of Newcastle and Wolves in the race for the Republic of Ireland forward, who is 24.
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Wickham to have Sunderland medical 'within 24 hours' after £13m bid accepted by Ipswich
Handful: Teenager Connor Wickham has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs
Connor Wickham was in Sunderland on Tuesday night to complete his £13million move from Ipswich.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has seen off competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham to put together a package which will land the England Under 21 striker today. Wickham was having a medical last night and concluding talks over personal terms.
Ipswich have accepted a down payment of £8.1million, which will rise by another £5m dependent on goals, appearances, European qualification and future England appearances. Only Liverpool are believed to have made a bid for Wickham since the end of last season but their offer was £2m lower.