OPINION
Newcastle are one of five Premier League sides reportedly interested in Sheffield Wednesday teenager George Hirst.
The Daily Mail claim Leicester are favourites to sign the 18-year-old striker, who has already made two senior appearances for Carlos Carvalhal’s side.
It is said that Leicester are currently leading the race to sign the five-time England Under-20 international, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton also keen to land the wonderkid’s signature.
The report claims that Craig Shakespeare’s Foxes have tabled a £2million offer for the striker, after having a bid of £1million rejected earlier on in the transfer window.
As well as his two senior appearances, Hirst starred in England Under-20’s Toulon Tournament this summer in which he scored four goals and sat at the top of the goalscoring rankings.
Here, This Is Futbol considers whether Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle should sign Hirst, and whether a deal with Sheffield Wednesday is achievable.
Good move for Newcastle?
There is no doubt that Hirst is going to have a bright future in English football, as he continues to impress with Wednesday’s second string and England’s youth sides.
His lofty frame sees him as the perfect target man, showing both an eye for goal in the penalty area as well as possessing the footballing intelligence to hold the ball up and bring others into play despite his tender age.
With Newcastle selling Daryl Murphy to Nottingham Forest, Adam Armstrong joining Bolton on loan and doubts over the future of Aleksander Mitrovic, Hurst would be an ideal signing at St. James’ Park as third-choice striker.
Owner Mike Ashley is keeping a tight stronghold on the Newcastle coffers but at just £2million, Hirst could turn out to be a bargain deal for many years to come.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.
Likely to happen?
Sheffield Wednesday rejected Leicester’s first bid of £1million, and there is no sign that they will be willing to accept the Foxes’ second offer despite Shakespeare opting to double the original offer.
Carvalhal seemingly has no intention to sell his up-and-coming star, which could see all five Premier League sides foiled in their bid to sign the striker.
However, if Wednesday so opt to sell, the chances of Hurst turning down Premier League giants Arsenal or Manchester United to join Newcastle are slim.
The Toon would have to do a lot of persuading to land the teenage prodigy, with perhaps a larger chance of first-team football key in luring Hirst to Tyneside.
This Is Futbol rating: 3/10.