Everton bid for the Sheffield Wednesday striker in January according to one of their scouts.
The report claims Hirst is “viewed as one of the best emerging youngsters in the country”, while Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and confirmed January bidders Everton are also listed as admirers of the 18-year-old, who finished top scorer as England won the 2017 Toulon Tournament.
With a year left on his contract at Wednesday – Hirst’s boyhood club and that at which his father, David, earned legendary status during the late 1980s and early 1990s – and no immediate hint of a first team chance coming his way, the Owls may have to contemplate selling the youngster at some point – if they haven’t already.
As long as a new contract is offered to Hirst which is of at least equal terms to his existing deal – and talks over a renewal are thought to have started earlier this year – then Wednesday are guaranteed to receive some sort of fee next summer, even if he doesn’t sign it.
Nevertheless, selling Hirst now – a scenario which, in this writer’s opinion, should only be considered if the player indicates either a desire to leave or to not renew his contract – could allow the Owls to maximise their profit.
But at what price should Wednesday deal? Interestingly, a recent Everton transfer could act as the yardstick to follow.
General view of Everton’s Goodison Park
At the time of his transfer, Bowler only had a year left on his contract, had appeared only once at Championship level and was only recently 18. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? The only difference being that after four goals in France this summer, Hirst is now, arguably, the higher profile of the two.
And on that basis, Wednesday should consider nothing less than the £4.25 million Everton have agreed to pay for Bowler.
Can Sheffield Wednesday hold onto Hirst?
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