Owls owner Chansiri confirms '˜local' offer for Leeds United target George Hirst

In an interview with online forum Owlstalk, Chansiri confirmed a number of approaches for Hirst as he spoke out about the on-going contract dispute between Wednesday and their 18-year-old forward.

Hirst, the son of former Owls striker David, is in the last year of his contract and appears set on leaving Hillsborough in the wake of bitter and failed attempts to renew his deal.

Leicester City bid for the teenager before the closure of the summer window but the YEP revealed at the time that Leeds had also made an enquiry to Wednesday. The Elland Road club, however, were unwilling to meet Chansiri’s valuation of Hirst.

Chansiri told Owlstalk.co.uk: “We did receive offers from the Premier League and another club nearby in the Championship in the most recent transfer windows. But these bids, on all levels, were not in the best interests of our club and were dismissed.

“In addition, agreeing to sell George or any player in these circumstances would send out the wrong message to all players in all age groups at Sheffield Wednesday.”

Hirst has made only two substitute appearances for Wednesday’s first team and the ructions over his contract prevented him from moving out of Hillsborough on loan before the summer window closed.

Leeds’ recruitment strategy under owner Andrea Radrizzani has focused on longer-term signings, a category which Hirst fell into, but the striker is the subject of Premier League interest and could seek a move to the top flight.

Chansiri, who claimed a contract offer to Hirst “broke our current salary structure for the development squad on a level never previously matched”, conceded defeat by saying: “It seems there is little more we can do to keep George at Sheffield Wednesday.”