Sam Gallagher won't like new Stoke City, Ipswich Town transfer situation | OneFootball

Sam Gallagher has endured a torrid time in front of goal for Stoke, and that could be about to get worse after the latest Ipswich Town developments.

Sam Gallagher has endured a torrid stint at Stoke City, and it appears that his time at the Bet365 Stadium is only going to get worse.

Having signed for the Potters from fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2024, the striker hoped that a fresh move would see him revitalise his declining career.

However, the 30-year-old has managed just five goals in 42 appearances for Stoke and with a year remaining on his contract, he is up against time to prove his doubters wrong.

Now, it seems that things are about to get even worse for Gallagher after the latest developments involving one of Ipswich Town's forwards.

Stoke City line up Ipswich Town striker George Hirst in blow to Sam Gallagher

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The Potters have already added to their attacking options this summer by acquiring Milan Smit on a permanent deal from Go Ahead Eagles after he spent the second half of last season on loan at the Bet365 Stadium.

However, Smit is unlikely to be the only forward to arrive at the club before the end of the transfer window as they are weighing up an ambitious move for Ipswich's George Hirst.

The forward enjoyed his best scoring season for the Tractor Boys last term, netting 11 goals in 42 Championship appearances as the Suffolk side snatched the second automatic promotion spot on the final day.

However, the Scotland international is expected to find first-team opportunities sparse in the Premier League; hence, he could drop back down to the Championship for more opportunities.

While there is plenty to be done for a deal to go through, the news must surely be a blow for Gallagher, who would have been praying for a starting berth himself.

Why Stoke are eyeing Hirst

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The Potters endured another underwhelming season, and much of their struggles were because of their inability to score goals.

Last term, Mark Robins' side managed just 51 goals in the Championship, with only six clubs scoring fewer than the Staffordshire outfit.

Wingers Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef carried much of the load in front of goal, totalling 17 goals between them, while the Potters' top-scoring striker, Divin Mubama, bagged five before his loan spell from Manchester City was cruelly cut short due to injury.

That, quite frankly, is not enough for a club of Stoke's calibre, and if they are going to make progress next term, then they need strikers who can net closer to 15 in a season.

What next for Gallagher after Hirst news?

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With a year remaining on his contract, Gallagher is at another crossroads in his career, and if Stoke do bring in another striker, then he has to consider his immediate future.

The centre-forward's goal record is concerning as he has only managed 10 or more goals in a single season once in his career, when he was initially at Blackburn in the 2016/17 campaign.

Of course, it must be noted that the Englishman has suffered a series of injuries that have meant he has spent substantial time on the sidelines, while he has had to settle for a role as an impact substitute at times.

As it stands, Gallagher may well be first choice given the lack of quality options Robins has at his disposal, but if the club sign another forward as expected, it is difficult to see how he will salvage his career at the Bet365.