Norwich City face a £2m tug of war with Black Country rivals Wolves and West Brom for Scunthorpe hot shot Billy Sharp.

Norwich City face a £2m tug of war with Black Country rivals Wolves and West Brom for Scunthorpe hot shot Billy Sharp.

Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy reportedly matched City's initial offer revealed earlier this week by United chairman Steve Wharton.

McCarthy launched his raid for United's prized asset after being originally knocked back in the January transfer window when Scunthorpe slapped a £2m price tag on the League One golden boot winner.

Strike partner Andy Keogh moved to Molineux for £600,000, but the Wolves chief has renewed his interest ahead of a £30m cash injection from new owner Steve Morgan.

Sheffield Wednesday's opening £1.5m bid was officially rejected by the Glandford Park outfit, but Iron boss Nigel Adkins is forecasting a high stakes auction for his sharpshooter.

“Brian Laws has now opened the door for other clubs because he actually put a bid on the table,” said Adkins. “He's opened the door for other clubs now to say, 'well, that's started the bidding.'

“Billy is one of the hottest properties in football at the moment - and premium players cost premium prices.”

Sharp has already confirmed any decision on his immediate future will remain on hold until after a summer break.

“I've had enough about all the talk, to be honest,” he told Scunthorpe's web site.

“I just want to go away on my holidays. I keep hearing this club and that club are interested, but I've not even has a chance to consider my new contract offer from Scunthorpe.

“It's really flattering to hear clubs are interested, but I've not sat down with my mum and dad yet to talk about Scunthorpe's new offer.”

Sources in the Midlands insist Sharp's preferred destination is the Hawthorns with defeated Championship play off finalists West Brom poised to join the race by lodging a firm bid later this week.

Baggies' boss Tony Mowbray made a formal inquiry last season and is set to step up his interest after missing out on mega money Premiership promotion.

West Brom's top flight failure will trigger the departure of highly rated Championship hitman Diomansy Kamara. Italian giants Roma head the queue of admirers chasing the £3m rated Senegalese striker.

The Albion chief was snubbed by Charlton's new recruit Luke Varney last week while veteran striker John Hartson and Nathan Ellington are unlikely to feature in Mowbray's long term plans.

Mowbray's summer transfer kitty will be boosted further with the imminent Premiership-bound departures of captain Curtis Davies and talented midfielders Jason Koumas and Zoltan Gera.