Arsenal launch £7m bidding war with Spurs for 17 year-old Ipswich wonderkid Wickham - Exclusive

Arsene Wenger has sparked a sensational bidding war with Spurs for Ipswich sensation Connor Wickham.

The Arsenal boss has matched Harry Redknapp's bid of £7million for the 17-year-old striker - and Wenger is determined to land him.

Ipswich chief Roy Keane has so far been determined to hold on to the 6ft 3in, England Under-17 star.

But Wickham was outstanding in England's European Championship win in May and the cash-strapped East Anglian club are increasingly concerned that they may be forced to listen to offers for him.

A debt of close to £50 million after the worst league season for more than half a century means that disillusioned owner Marcus Evans is carefully considering his next move.

There is a very limited amount for Keane to spend in the transfer market and the listing of eight players has so far brought in nothing.

The sale of Wickham would give Keane scope to try and build an Ipswich side capable of challenging for a Premier League return.

Redknapp started the ball rolling with an initial sale and loan back offer for Wickham early in the close season. But Wenger and his Emirates spies are determined to land him.

Ex-Ipswich and England defender Russell Osman - who commentated on the European Championships for TV - insisted afterwards that Wickham was a young player who had "absolutely everything."

Osman even went as far as to suggest that Fabio Capello should have made the Ipswich teenager a late selection for the World Cup.

10 things you need to know about Connor Wickham plus video of him in action