How much Stoke City are really paying Ipswich for George Hirst revealed | OneFootball

Stoke City have agreed a fee worth around £6 million, including various contingencies, with Ipswich Town for George Hirst

Stoke City have finally agreed a deal with Ipswich Town over the transfer of Scottish international George Hirst, with the 27-year-old set to undergo a medical with the Potters on Wednesday ahead of a £6 million switch to North Staffordshire.

According to John Percy via X, Stoke have agreed a fee worth around £6 million for the signing of Ipswich striker Hirst, with the Scot heading to the Potteries on Wednesday to complete a medical assessment.

Percy reports that the £6 million fee will increase 'on various contingencies', likely through goals scored, appearances, and promotion to the Premier League, as the Potters hope to have finally found their man.

Stoke City have agreed a fee worth around £6 million for Ipswich Town striker George Hirst

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It was initially reported by The Scottish Sun's Charlie Gordon of Stoke's interest in Hirst some three weeks ago, as murmurs of a potential deal have raged on since.

Alan Nixon reported via his Patreon that the Potters were willing to stump up in excess of £10 million for the Scottish forward this summer, as it has now been revealed that the initial fee is worth a mere £6 million.

Following the additions of Emersonn and Daizen Maeda up top, Hirst's minutes under Gary O'Neil would likely have taken a hit had he not pursued a move elsewhere.

The Scot, who failed to make it off the bench under Steve Clarke for his national team at the recent World Cup in North America, has played a crucial role in three promotions in four years at Portman Road, and now will be hoping for similar success with the Potters ahead of his permanent switch to the bet365 Stadium.

He will be joined by Ben Johnson to make the move from Suffolk to Staffordshire this summer, after Stoke agreed a loan deal to bring the defender to the club as well, as head coach Mark Robins is doing his all to ensure his side are not involved in another scrap at the foot of the Championship table.

Why are Stoke City signing George Hirst?

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Stoke have been after a new star centre-forward all summer, and now, finally appear to have gotten their man in the form of Hirst.

The Potters had explored a move for Sarpsborg forward Daniel Karlsbakk, reportedly seeing numerous bids for the towering Norwegian knocked back, as now, Hirst looks to fill that vacancy up top.

The Scot will become the third permanent striker addition under Robins in just 18 months, and the fifth under the former Coventry City boss in total, with Robert Bozenik and Milan Smit signing permanent deals, whilst Divin Mubama and Ali Al-Hamadi joined on loan previously.

Smit, despite his £4.8 million obligation-to-buy fee being triggered this summer, has joined 2. Bundesliga side Darmstadt on loan for the season, leaving just Sam Gallagher and Bozenik up top for Robins to pick from.

Whilst Hirst has never been especially prolific at this level, the Scot has played a pivotal role in three promotions under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich, scoring 30 goals and grabbing 15 assists in 125 appearances across all competitions in three-and-a-half years.

His all-round game will massively benefit Stoke's attack, capable of bringing the likes of Million Manhoef, Lamine Cisse, and Sorba Thomas into the game, as Hirst's addition could be a pivotal one to the Potters' play-off hopes.

How have Stoke City fans reacted to the George Hirst £6 million update?

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With it being revealed that the fee Stoke will pay to sign Hirst is £6 million, not £10 million like it was initially assumed, Potters supporters have taken to social media to provide their thoughts on the situation.

This Stoke fan is pleased with the deal for Hirst, and hopes he passes his medical tests, unlike Harry Clarke, who was unable to do so despite a £3.5 million fee having been agreed with Ipswich.

Stoke to go and sign Coventry City's Ellis Simms on top of Hirst.

Referring to the addition of Johnson as well as Hirst, this Stoke fan is happy with this double swoop.

Stoke left-back Aaron Cresswell enjoyed a long and successful spell with West Ham previously, and will know Johnson well from their time together with the Hammers, as the right-back joins Hirst and links up with his former teammate at the bet365 Stadium next season.