Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a move to sign English wonderkid George Hirst from Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
According to The Mirror, Manchester United are close to confirming their first summer signing in the form of young English striker George Hirst. The Sheffield Wednesday star was tipped to join Leicester City. But, it seems the striker is now set to join the Red Devils in the summer.
George Hirst comes from a footballing family. The youngster’s father is considered an Owls legend, having appeared 294 times for Sheffield Wednesday during his footballing career. Hirst broke into the first-team setup in the 2016-17 season and was touted to be a promising prospect for the campaign to come.
But, the striker’s inadvertence towards signing a new long-term deal at the club has seen him play no part in the Sheffield Wednesday first-team this season and his exit is almost a certainty at this point, with Hirst reportedly in no mood to change his stance toward signing a new contract at the club.
There has been interest from within England, with Leicester City, Newcastle and Everton all keen to add the striker to their respective squads. But, it was the former Premier League champions that were touted to be frontrunners in the race to sign George Hirst.
Sheffield Wednesday striker George Hirst, 19, son of ex-Owl David, is set to join Manchester United, with the Championship side due a compensation package #MUFC pic.twitter.com/3WsBKaRwhY
— Around The Grounds ? (@ArndTheGrnds) April 8, 2018
The 19-year-old was thought to be set for Leicester City, with the transfer reported to be a near-done deal. But, recent reports emanating from the player’s camp suggest that Manchester United are the new favourites to land the Sheffield Wednesday striker. United will need to pay just the compensation fee to land Hirst.
The England Under-19 international could be set for a move to the club his father famously rejected to stay with Sheffield Wednesday during his footballing career. Sir Alex Ferguson had attempted to bring David Hirst, George’s father, in at Old Trafford.
But, Jose Mourinho is confident of sealing a deal for George Hirst, who now looks set to snub Leicester City for the Red Devils. Hirst is likely to slot into the Under-23 side at Manchester United, where the club has been struggling to field quality options upfront.
Zachary Dearnley has been doing a pleasant job of late, with James Wilson still struggling to make his comeback after a spate of injuries derailed his progress. But, Hirst’s addition would probably add more teeth to the squad for the upcoming season.
And who knows, Hirst might just be the next English attacking sensation to break through at Manchester United.
