The Sheffield Wednesday talent has been linked with moves to Everton, Leicester City and Leeds United this year.
News that George Hirst has turned down a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday (the Sheffield Star) will have likely pricked the ears of several alleged suitors, including Everton, Leicester City and Leeds United.
Hirst’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, and the chances of a new one being signed are growing increasingly unlikely, with the 18-year-old not involved in any of the Owls’ senior or youth team fixtures this season.
But if Everton, Leicester, Leeds, or any other English club, are hoping to snare a bargain next summer, Wednesday – reassuringly – retain the power to ensure they receive some amount of compensation should Hirst, who is the son of Hillsborough legend, David, depart.
As Hirst is (well) under the age of 24, normal Bosman rules would not apply, so long as the Owls offer him terms which are equal to or greater than those of his existing contract – which, one would assume, they have already done.
Should that prove the case, Hirst’s chosen club would still have to negotiate with Wednesday, as they would with any other transfer, in the hope of an agreement being made. The only difference being that Hirst could still be registered by his new employers from 1 July 2018, even if a deal has not been struck by the two clubs before then.
Should discussions reach an impasse, however, the fee for Hirst must then be decided at a future tribunal hearing – a prospect currently faced by Liverpool and Chelsea after Dominic Solanke’s transfer to Anfield this summer.
So while Hirst’s departure would come as a significant blow for Wednesday, at least they shouldn’t go empty handed.
Everton, Leicester, Leeds or other – where will Hirst end up?
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