Leeds United have been linked with a move for the Sheffield Wednesday youngster.
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds United are prepared to reignite their interest in Sheffield Wednesday youngster George Hirst in the summer, with the 18-year-old ready to leave the Owls in pursuit of regular first-team football. So could the talented teenager be the hungry young English striker the Whites need?
Given Hirst’s outstanding form at youth level both for the Owls and for England, it is somewhat bizarre to think that he has only managed two first-team appearances for Wednesday to date. But with his contract expiring at the end of this season, it seems he is heading for pastures new.
Leeds signed plenty of new strikers last summer but all of them were from abroad and most have flattered to deceive thus far.
While Leeds forward Mallik Wilks is expected to hit the big time further down the line, Hirst is arguably ready for Championship football now and could be the hungry young English talent they need.
It is one thing pinning your hopes on foreign imports such as Pawek Cibicki, Jay-Roy Grot and loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga, and quite another giving a chance to a player who – while young – is well aware of the challenges of the English game having come through the ranks for Wednesday.
If Leeds can snatch the player on a free transfer next summer or, as suggested in the report, for a knockdown price in January, it would be an almighty coup, and showing the faith in him that the Owls have not could be a brave but ultimately very smart move on the part of Whites boss Thomas Christiansen.
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