Exclusive: Ipswich ready to agree George Hirst deal as Leeds and Burnley swoop
Ipswich are keen to tie down striker George Hirst to a new deal to ward off potential interest from Leeds United and Burnley, sources have told Football Insider.
Liam Delap is expected to leave Portman Road at the end of the season and the Tractor Boys are desperate not to lose both of their key forwards this summer.
Hirst, who has started Ipswich’s last two games and impressed in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea, has scored four goals and provided two assists this season.
Newly promoted duo Leeds and Burnley are interested in Hirst, but Ipswich are determined to keep hold of the 26-year-old Scotland international.
Leeds and Burnley keen on Hirst after securing promotion
The Suffolk club see the forward as a potential figurehead in their bid to win promotion back to the Premier League next season.
He has made 24 appearances across all competitions this term but has started in just five of those outings with Delap the undisputed first-choice striker for Kieran McKenna.
| Appearances | 76 |
| Minutes Played | 3699 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 8 |
Hirst joined Ipswich from Leicester in July 2023 and helped the club to promotion from the Championship last season, scoring seven league goals.
The forward is under contract at Ipswich until June 2027.
He recently made his first Scotland appearances in their Nations League playoff with Greece – having previously turned out for England at youth level.
Fulham and Brentford watching Ipswich boss McKenna
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (20 April) that Fulham and Brentford could turn to Kieran McKenna if either club lose their managers this summer.
McKenna remains highly-rated in Premier League circles despite Ipswich’s impending relegation, but the club have no plans for him to leave Portman Road – if they can help it.
Marco Silva and Thomas Frank at Fulham and Brentford respectively are attracting interest from top Premier League clubs like Tottenham.
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