No bids have been made for Premier League target Connor Wickham – Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell

Connor Wickham(Getty Images)

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Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell insists no offers have been made for star striker Connor Wickham this summer.

Liverpool, Newcastle United, Sunderland and Tottenham are all reported to be interested in the 18-year-old forward.

Jewell told BBC Radio Suffolk: “There’s been enquiries, there’s always enquiries, there’s been enquiries ever since I’ve been here.

“Enquiries don’t mean anything, I could get through to Barcelona and enquire about Messi, I don’t think I’ll get him!”

The striker has long been the subject of speculation from the Premier League after breaking into the Tractor Boys’ first team at the age of 16, and last season he added to his reputation with nine goals in 20 games in the second half of the season.

Jewell admits that although he is not interested in selling his prize asset during the summer and expects to see him return to pre-season training after the Under-21 European Championships, he could leave if a big offer is received.

“We don’t want to sell Connor Wickham, but if he wants to leave and the right offer comes in then we’ll have to consider it,” he continued.

“But until then – Connor’s never given me any indication he wants to leave – our backs aren’t against the wall, we’re in control of the situation.”

Wickham only signed a three-year contract in April and Jewell is confident he will continue his development at Portman Road, but acknowledged the striker’s long term future may be away from the Suffolk club.

“Things will start hotting up as we come back for pre-season,” he added.

“I know how it works, a manager thinks he’s got a squad together and something happens injury-wise pre-season and he’ll look around seeing what’s available.

“So there’s no point getting up tight about it.”

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