BURNLEY would have to resolve wage issues with Sunderland if they are to make a loan move for striker Connor Wickham. The Clarets have been boosted by news that Danny Ings could be back in action within three months but are still considering whether to move into the market to temporarily bolster their strike force, with the loan window opening at the weekend. Bristol City forward Brett Pitman has been a target for Eddie Howe this summer and could now be made available on loan, while Burnley are also understood to be contemplating the possibility of a move for Wickham. Sunderland boss Martin OâNeill is keen to loan out Wickham, who has fallen down the pecking order since former manager Steve Bruce signed him from Ipswich Town for £8.1m last summer. The highly-rated 19-year-old has been offered to a host of Championship clubs in recent weeks, with Blackburn Rovers briefly interested before deciding to pursue other options â snapping up Jordan Rhodes from Huddersfield on a permanent deal. Ipswich have the first option to take Wickham back to Portman Road on loan if they wished, but boss Paul Jewell said at the start of August that the Suffolk side could not afford to do so because Sunderland wanted them to pay three-quarters of the 6ft 3in forwardâs wages â reported to be around £25,000 a week. Such a figure would also seem likely to be beyond Burnleyâs reach and, although it is understood that Sunderland are now willing to negotiate that percentage, it remains to be seen whether the Clarets will opt to pursue a deal. Other Championship clubs are said to remain interested, after the possibility of a loan move to a Premier League club fell through before the closure of the transfer window, and Wickhamâs destination could yet depend on which club is able to cover the largest chunk of the England under 21 internationalâs wages. The powerfully built Wickham was linked with a host of clubs lassummer before joining Sunderland, having impressed with Ipswich â where he scored 13 goals in 65 games, 33 of which were starts
Think 25k a week is too much for most championship clubs, we will have to pay at least half his wages. Could be worth it though if he can get regular games, shake of these injuries and start putting the ball in the net.
Agree with Quillips, worth us putting up the money if long term we end up with a decent striker. The lad needs games.
Were paying him for sitting on his arse at the mo. Loan him out and give him games. If he gets injured its the risk we take.
I'd happily pay ALL his wages for a short term 3 month loan if he went to a decent side, with a decent manager who then got his fitness and sharpness back for us to benefit by in the new year. Call it an investment, as if we can get a bang in form Wickham up and running, and I rate the kid actually, we will be all the better for it.
Poyet would be great for the lad but I'd rather he stayed north and Blackpool under Holloway would be my choice or even Boro under Mowbray, who has a great reputation for encouraging and developing younger players into first team football where ever he has managed.
am i right in thinking he only signed for 3 years meaning at the end of this season he'll only have a year left?
Boro for me too. They are a great club for developing players, and he can stay in touch with our lads, not to be underestimated.
