No Hirst or Palmer in Germany
Friday, 14th Aug 2026 13:31

Neither George Hirst nor Alex Palmer are with the squad in Germany ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Union Berlin, TWTD understands.

The duo were left out of the travelling party with discussions ongoing regarding outward moves.

Stoke City want Hirst but ideally on loan due to the Scotland international’s wages, while Town are looking at doing a permanent deal. Potentially that could also involve Harry Clarke, whose move to the Potters stalled earlier in the month.

Palmer looks set to move on this summer having dropped down the pecking order following the signings of Kjell Scherpen and Kayne van Oevelen, while Christian Walton is with the travelling party having recovered from his foot injury.

The former West Brom man is understood to be interesting Sunderland, coincidentally the Blues’ opening day opponents.

Meanwhile, we understand Town’s offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Exequiel Palacios was €15 million (£12.8 million) rather than the higher figures reported in Germany.

The Blues made one bid which was rebuffed by the Bundesliga side and are currently not looking to pursue the matter.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:38 - Aug 14 Good luck to HIrst. He may not fit into our present set-up, but he's always given his all and played for the team. Likewise for Palmer, who is a very decent keeper.
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blueboy1981 added 13:40 - Aug 14 Both on their way - would like to have seen Hirst stay under different Coaching !!!
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Gforce added 13:47 - Aug 14 Best wishes to both,if they are on their way out. But if Hirst is going, surely we'll need 2 new strikers, rather than 1.
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thatsbonkers added 13:49 - Aug 14 Think we are pulling the trigger too soon on Hirst. He was not great last year but let him be third choice and prove himself from the bench.
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Bluemike31 added 13:53 - Aug 14 The right thing for both of them.
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Town1Inter0 added 13:54 - Aug 14

I thought Hirst was half-decent for us last time we were in the PL. away trip to Brentford a good example. And at times wondered why he didn’t start more instead of Delap. Maybe needs more improvement on his finishing but loved his energy. Could have been a 3rd choice striker this season, but it looks like we’re going for more, which is pretty exciting. He should be playing for a better Champs team than Stoke though.

Blue_Heath added 13:56 - Aug 14 Hirst's prem league stats for his game time were great so unless we have another striker lined up I'd keep him. Harry is a local legend shame to see one of our own going. Glad that's it re the argentine.
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PortmanTerrorist added 14:01 - Aug 14

Bothered about Hirst leaving, but maybe he is looking for a longer contract etc? Otherwise, as people have commented on here he did well in Prem last time. Also, with all the talent in our team sitting in the 10s/wide positions, isn't the best link-up striker we have seen in many years ideal for the system; not like he cannot get in behind and get his fair share of goals as he showed last time !

timmy2guns added 14:22 - Aug 14 I expect the club see Emersonn as the replacement to play the ball up to and press from reading other reports. The ball didn’t always stick with him. Agree with others his finishing probably lets him down. A good servant, but unsure he could really step up to a place that keeps us up. Did Philogene travel ? Sorry if this has been set out elsewhere !
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barrystedmunds added 14:38 - Aug 14 Please; no more loan deals. If Stoke want him/them then pay up!
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Tractorboy58 added 14:49 - Aug 14 I actually think that Chubba Akpom is going to come good this season
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Bert added 15:05 - Aug 14 It is Hirst’s first touch that often let him down and he was elbowed out by Delap. Can’t see him getting much game time and it is unlikely that he is the sort of striker that GON would play.
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ivandeighton added 15:26 - Aug 14 Hirst not premier league standard need more of a prolific goal scorer
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hyperbrit added 15:29 - Aug 14 I still have a soft spot for Delap but that is pobably me being soppy. Chelsea are in a right pickle atm due to their midfield problems and maybe need to offload his wages?
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JewellintheTown added 15:33 - Aug 14 Hirst was two years younger last time around we were in the Prem. Hardly prolific back then, but I do wish him well at Stoke & think he & Clarke would fit in well & become a fan favourite.
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Linkboy13 added 15:34 - Aug 14

Every squad member must be capable of competing at Premier league level . Hirst is a hundred percent tryer but just hasn't got the technical ability or physicality to play in the Premier league. Fans have their favourite players i get that and don't like to see them move on. We like to remember players good games and in Hirsts case their wasn't that many plus his goals per game rate was not that good but he will have his favourites every player has who will disagree.

guentchev123 added 15:46 - Aug 14 A bit confused by the Palacios situation? We make a bid for £15m which is obviously way below what would be acceptable to them and we are not going to follow it up with anymore bids. Can’t believe that we make just one bid and then simply walk away
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itfc2024 added 15:56 - Aug 14 guentchev123 I agree we can't just make 1 bid and walk away we have to continue our efforts and try get him I think we sign him we stay up if we dont we may struggle im not saying 1 player makes a team but this guy ive seen live in Germany is quality and would add the experience we lack
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Bazza8564 added 15:59 - Aug 14

Im struggling with some of the remarks about Hirst. He really struggled last year and we were crying out for a new 9, that was in a league that is literally miles from teh required standard at PL level. I wish him well, but we need to move him on, same as Palmer, Ogbone, Taylor, Humphreys, Philogene and possibly even Nunez.
The club has spent £120m so far, is about to add another £30m to that and has bids in for Palacisios and god news who else.
The owners are leaving no stone unturned this summer to give us every chance of surviving. Hirst will be 4th choice once the next 9 arrives at best, 5th if you cinsider Ensisco as a false 9.
Linkboy has it 100% correct, sentiment wont keep us in the PL.

BerksBlue15 added 16:12 - Aug 14 With Hirst I think we're only looking to ship him out given the fee that was being banded around for him (£10m) which was well over his market value. If we sell him for nearer £2m-£3m then I agree with most that he's probably worth keeping, albeit we must be approaching/over the 25 man squad limit so do need to let some people go at some stage.
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tetchris added 16:27 - Aug 14 Hirst and Palmer left behind but assume Ogbene, AAH and others who have no future at the club have travelled?
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scooby added 16:41 - Aug 14 Hirst currently the best striker we have at the club by a considerable margin
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blueboy1981 added 16:46 - Aug 14 Delusions of Grandeur some of our supporters, some of their posts are nothing short delusional, inexperience, embarrassing, and so way off the real mark. Who the hell do they think we are ? - we still have much to prove in that we are actually a justified Prem’ Club. Least of all an established one. Reality Check Time Folks.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:57 - Aug 14 I imagine Emersonn is intended to be the primary replacement. Whether we'll get another out and out no. 9 in is open to question, given that we already have so many new arrivals. I guess that would really be the icing on the cake if we do. Personally, I don't see Delap as the answer.
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allovaya added 17:37 - Aug 14 Given a Banjo and the lad Hirst still wouldn’t hit the barn door……sentimentality shouldn’t come in to it, let him go to pastures new…….
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