CONNOR WICKHAM was last night told to make up his own mind on his Sunderland future after claims emerged that Italian club Lazio are interested in landing him for just £450,000.

Wickham and his representatives have had discussions over a new deal since the end of last season but a breakthrough has still not been reached.

The 21-year-old is set to become a free agent next summer, when Sunderland will only be entitled to compensation because he is under the age of 24.

But six months before his contract is due to run out he can sign a pre-contract arrangement with an overseas club and Lazio are aware that they could sign the £8m striker on the cheap.

“If he wants to do it, that’s his decision,” said Sunderland boss Gus Poyet. “I don’t want to be a hypocrite. It’s easy to only see it from your perspective, not the other side. But Connor is still playing, there has been no ban. I’ve not said if you don’t sign you don’t play.

“There hasn’t been different treatment, but he needs to make a decision that’s best for his career. If he wants to go somewhere else and play in Europe, fine, that’s his decision. I’m not going to be a hypocrite.

“My son (Diego) did it in June. He left Charlton for West Ham, they agreed compensation ... see you later. My son had the option to go to Europe, but he didn’t. Everyone is free to do what they want.”

Wickham, who has not hit the heights he hit towards the end of last season when his goals kept Sunderland up, is still a key part of his manager’s system and is expected to keep his place against Everton on Sunday.

Poyet is happy to admit he wants to keep the former Ipswich man at the Stadium of Light but has left the negotiating over the terms to sporting director Lee Congerton.

“I talked to Connor in the summer and everything was fine, it was just a case of starting negotiations,” said Poyet. “I stay out of it, that’s better for me as a manager. I don’t want to know if he is going to earn more than this player or less than that one. It’s simple for me not to get involved.”

He added: “It goes both ways, if the club don’t give you a new contract the closer you get to the end, the more chance there is of you getting an injury and getting nothing from somewhere else. I took that risk. I left it to the last minute.

“My advice is to make the decision yourself. Of course listen to your parents, girlfriend, best friend, his agent. With all the information they give you, make the decision yourself. If they all agree, it is common sense, but do what makes sense to you based on what you want. If he makes the decision I will respect it, good or bad.”

The lingering doubts over whether Wickham stays or goes is not ideal for Sunderland, who paid out £8m for him in June 2011. Poyet accepts the situation, even if he threatened to sell him before the summer transfer deadline if an agreement had not been reached.

He said: “They want to tell you we will take him to Europe so the club has to pay us less compensation. Fair enough, we know who we are dealing with. You know who you are dealing with for the rest of your life, not just one deal.

“It’s not a problem, everyone has a reputation. Here we are talking about players, agents, family. Last time I was talking about Connor, the father was quick to reply. Now we’ll see who is going to make the decision about staying at the football club or going to play abroad.

“I would like things to be calm. If he is happy with what we are offering, we’d be delighted if he stayed here.”