Leeds United are one of several clubs to be credited with interest in the Sheffield Wednesday striker.
Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri has claimed that ‘a club nearby in the Championship’ is among those to have had an offer turned down for George Hirst ‘in the most recent transfer windows’.
Leeds United have been continually linked with a move for Hirst of late, and the Sheffield Star understands they are the club being referred to by Chansiri.
Speaking to Sheffield Wednesday’s official website on Monday, the Thai confirmed for the first time that he is resigned to losing Hirst, whose Hillsborough contract expires at the end of the campaign and is refusing to sign a new one.
“Regarding interest from other clubs in George, as previously stated, we did receive offers from the Premier League and another club nearby in the Championship in the most recent transfer windows,” said Chansiri. “But these bids, on all levels, were not in the best interests of our club and were dismissed. In addition, agreeing to sell George, or any player, in these circumstances would send out the wrong message to all players in all age groups at Sheffield Wednesday.
“As far as we are concerned, we have tried our best and we are disappointed but it seems there is little more we can do to keep George at Sheffield Wednesday.”
Hirst, who is the son of legendary Wednesday striker David Hirst, is regarded as one of the country’s top prospects and has represented England at every level below the Under-21s.
The 18-year-old scored 40 goals for Wednesday and England’s youth teams last season, but has yet to appear for any Owls side this campaign as the dispute over his contract rumbles on.
Nevertheless, his past exploits have been enough to attract interest from a host of clubs including Everton and Leicester City as well as Leeds United, according to the Sheffield Star.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani spoke of the club’s plan to invest in Yorkshire-based talent in an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post in January.
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