Connor Wickham has revealed he almost joined West Ham while at Sunderland, before completing a transfer move to Crystal Palace.

The Hammers were linked with a move for the 22-year-old striker while Sam Allardyce was in charge of the club.

Wickham endured a turbulent time at the Stadium of Light, with a variety of managers failing to deploy him in his favoured position.

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And the former England U21 star has admitted the switch to Upton Park was close to being finalised.

“I got close to joining Sam at West Ham but it fell apart at the last minute,” Wickham told the Daily Star.

“It didn't go to plan at Sunderland. The idea was that I would be the focal point of the team and it didn't work out that way.”

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While the deal fell through, Wickham signed a five-year deal with Palace in August.

Reoccurring injuries have tainted Wickham’s early Palace career but the forward will be hopeful of claiming a regular first-team spot as he edges towards a return from injury.

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