Stoke City are set to complete a double transfer raid on Ipswich Town, signing George Hirst and Ben Johnson. Hirst will join the Potters on a permanent deal, while Johnson will arrive on a season-long loan. The Scotland international has developed well and been an asset for Ipswich Town in their two automatic promotion wins. Hirst is a good Championship striker, offering good link-up ability and aerial threat, but a potential eight-figure fee for a player whose best Championship goal return sits at 11 feels high. The Potters have not been afraid to splash the cash this summer, reportedly paying up to £12m for Ethan Galbraith. Only time will tell whether such spending was worth it, with the Championship looking seriously competitive and few backing the Potters to make serious inroads up the table. Hirst and Johnson will both hope to make positive impacts on the pitch. The latter is a versatile full-back with Championship and Premier League experience and makes for a shrewd loan addition. Where they will add value to the Stoke City squad is in promotion pedigree. Hirst has been involved in both of Ipswich Town's promotions from the Championship, and Johnson played his part last season after signing upon their rise to the top flight in 2024. The hope will be that this experience means they can raise standards at SCFC and manage the pressure if they do make the progress up the table they desire. Ultimately though, time will tell whether the signings bear the fruit desired. Johnson is a more low-risk addition as he is only on loan, but the pressure will be on Hirst to deliver from the outset with such a sizeable fee involved.