<
>

Crystal Palace want Sunderland's Connor Wickham - Alan Pardew

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham is a target for Crystal Palace, the Eagles' manager Alan Pardew has confirmed.

Wickham, 22, has struggled for a regular role at the Stadium of Light since signing from Ipswich Town for £8 million in 2011, but signed a new four-year deal in December.

Reports on Friday suggested Palace had agreed a £10m deal with Sunderland for Wickham, and Pardew is confident of sealing the young striker's signature.

"Connor is somebody we feel will be great for the club and we're trying to get that across the line," he told reporters. "I don't know what the progress is for that at the moment."

Wickham's new contract came before Dick Advocaat was appointed Sunderland manager in March, with the forward dropping into a deeper role under the Dutch coach during the 2014-15 run-in.

Advocaat has confirmed that Sunderland have agreed to let Wickham leave given the competition in the Black Cats' squad, telling the Newcastle Chronicle: "We have too many strikers and if I could have held on to them all I wouldn't really have wanted to sell him at just 22.

"However, we simply had too many players in that position and that is why the decision was made."

Wickham would be the second striker to move to Selhurst Park this summer after the Eagles loaned Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford.