Preston North End have not started the season as they would have hoped, though the Lilywhites will have some respite in knowing they have dodged a serious transfer blunder at the expense of some division rivals.

Things are somewhat precarious at Deepdale right now, with Preston sitting rock-bottom of the Championship table after 12 games.

Paul Heckingbottom lasted just eight games into the campaign before his ultimate dismissal, as former Bradford City boss Graham Alexander has since taken the reins in Lancashire.

This is despite an unusually busy and expensive summer for Preston, which could have become even more lucrative had they fired their shot at one of their missed targets.

Preston North End were interested in Ipswich Town striker George Hirst

Preston broke their transfer record to complete the addition of former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine in the summer following a positive loan spell, whilst the likes of Johnny Kenny, Harry Clarke, and Stanley Mills followed in multi-million pound deals.

With each of Lewis Dobbin, Daniel Jebbison, Milutin Osmajic, and Michael Smith having left the club at the end of the season, a multitude of new attacking options quickly became a necessity for Preston.

Jusef Erabi, Delano Burgzorg, and Kenny would eventually join the club, though according to The Sun, Preston were interested in a move for Ipswich Town's George Hirst.

However, it would quickly become obvious that the Tractor Boys were only interested in a sale in the event of a departure, as the Lilywhites found themselves priced out.

George Hirst would join Stoke City for a potential £10 million instead

With Ipswich signing each of Emersonn, Daizen Maeda, and Zian Flemming to play up top under Gary O'Neil at Portman Road, Hirst was allowed to leave the club for the right price, as Preston's Championship rivals Stoke City stumped up a potential £10 million to bring the Scottish international to the Potteries.

The Potters reportedly paid an initial £6 million, rising to £10 million with add-ons for the 27-year-old, which, even at the time, appeared to be steep.

Despite contributing to three promotions in four years at Ipswich, Hirst has never been prolific throughout his time in Suffolk or even prior to that, having only ever hit double digits for goals twice in his career to date, with only one of those being in the Championship.

With Stoke looking for a number nine to fire them up the division, the stats didn't exactly back up Hirst's addition for that fee, and so far, he has yet to come anywhere near justifying that money spent on him.

George Hirst has had a difficult start to life at Stoke City

Upon his move to the Potteries, Hirst started his first five Championship games in a row, but failed to complete a single 90 minutes in that time.

Since then, the Scot has lost his place in the Stoke starting XI to Laminse Cisse, who has largely been preferred in the centre-forward role, as Hirst has had to settle for making an impact off the bench.

With one goal and one assist in 11 league games, it certainly could have been a worse start to life at the bet365 Stadium, though for his fee, it could have been a lot better, especially factoring in the assist he provided for Robert Bozenik against Middlesbrough was purely by accident.

With Cisse suffering an injury after 20 minutes against Bristol City, Hirst was brought on to replace the Frenchman, and his performance, or lack thereof, has earned him a lot of flack from Potters supporters online, who are incredibly disappointed with his addition at this stage.

Time is on the 27-year-old's side, though a huge upturn in performances will be required sooner rather than later, especially if Stoke are to seriously challenge for a play-off spot this year, as Preston must be laughing.

What have you made of George Hirst's time at Stoke so far? Have Preston dodged a bullet in avoiding his addition? Share your thoughts below!

Preston North End and Graham Alexander must be glad to have dodged £10 million George Hirst transfer bullet

Though Preston won't exactly be jumping for joy after the start to the season they have endured, the Lilywhites can at least take solace in knowing they have avoided a serious transfer blunder involving Hirst at the expense of Stoke.

The Scot would have become one of Preston's most expensive additions ever had they stumped up the money Stoke were willing to, and though it will never be known how exactly he would have gotten on at Deepdale, if it was anything like how he has started in the Potteries, it would have been a grim reality for Alexander's side.

Preston will hope to claw their way out of danger before too long and will believe that Alexander can spearhead that charge, as the Lilywhites have avoided a lucrative transfer bullet as things stand.