Peterborough United have a storied reputation for identifying and nurturing young talent in League One. Their latest transfer target, St Johnstone’s 21 year-old striker Makenzie Kirk, has become a focal point of their summer transfer strategy as they aim to bolster their squad for the 2025/26 season.
The pursuit of Kirk remains a key storyline, with Peterborough’s ambition to secure the Northern Ireland Under-21 international facing significant resistance from the Scottish Championship club. This saga offers insight into Peterborough’s proactive approach to recruitment and the challenges of navigating a competitive transfer market.
About Makenzie Kirk
Makenzie Kirk, born in Edinburgh and the son of former Hearts and Dunfermline Athletic striker Andy Kirk, has emerged as a promising talent in Scottish football.
After progressing through Hearts’ youth system, where he made one senior appearance, Makenzie Kirk joined St Johnstone last summer following a loan stint at Hamilton Academical. In his debut season, he scored eight goals in 35 Scottish Premiership appearances, despite St Johnstone’s relegation to the Championship.
This season, Makenzie Kirk has continued to impress, netting four goals in the Scottish League Cup, though he has yet to score in his two substitute appearances in the Championship. His goal-scoring ability and versatility have attracted attention from multiple clubs, with Peterborough leading the chase south of the border.
Peterborough’s interest in Kirk aligns with their long-standing philosophy of developing young players into stars, as seen with the likes of Ivan Toney and Ephron Mason-Clark. Manager Darren Ferguson has prioritized strengthening the squad’s attacking options, particularly after a challenging transfer window marked by key departures and injuries.
The club has lost players like Kwame Poku to Queens Park Rangers and Emmanuel Fernandez to Rangers, and Ricky-Jade Jones to FC St. Pauli while midfielder Archie Collins was placed on the transfer list after rejecting a new contract. With only two out-and-out forwards, Gustav Lindgren and Brad Ihionvien, in the squad, Kirk’s potential arrival would provide much-needed depth and firepower.
According to reports, Peterborough submitted a “significantly higher” offer than rival clubs for Kirk, only to see it rejected by St Johnstone. The Scottish side, currently top of the Championship after two opening wins, are in no rush to sell the 21-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari emphasized Kirk’s importance, stating to the Perth Courier and Advertiser, “Makenzie is a good player who is young and who scores goals. We are not desperate to sell. Scoring goals is the hardest job in football.” This firm stance reflects St Johnstone’s confidence in Kirk’s value, both on the pitch and as a future transfer asset.
The rejection of Peterborough’s bid is not an isolated case. St Johnstone have also turned down offers from Bristol Rovers, an unnamed Scottish Premiership club, and ruled out a move to Championship rivals Dunfermline Athletic. This widespread interest underscores Kirk’s growing reputation.
His Northern Ireland Under-21 debut against a strong England side in September 2024, followed by appearances against Moldova and Uzbekistan, highlights his potential to perform on bigger stages. For Peterborough, Kirk’s physicality, work rate, and knack for scoring make him an ideal fit for their high-pressing, attacking style.
Darren Ferguson remained optimistic about the club’s transfer plans, saying, “We have targets. Obviously we go for our first choice in any position and hope that we get them, but if we don’t we work through our list.”
This pragmatic approach suggests Peterborough may return with an improved offer for Makenzie Kirk, as noted by The Real EFL, which reported that the club could test St Johnstone’s resolve with a higher bid. However, with the transfer window closing on September 1st, time is a critical factor.
Where Posh need to improve
Peterborough’s pursuit of Makenzie Kirk is complicated by their current squad challenges. A 2-0 home defeat to Luton Town exposed defensive frailties, with no new central defender signed before the match.
The potential departure of goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic and the absence of Jed Steer, who requested a contract cancellation, further highlight the need for reinforcements across multiple positions. Kirk’s addition would not only address the shortage of proven goalscorers but also signal Peterborough’s ambition to challenge for promotion in League One. For St Johnstone, retaining Makenzie Kirk is a strategic decision.
His four goals in the Scottish League Cup demonstrate his ability to deliver in key moments, and his development in the Championship could enhance his value ahead of next summer’s transfer window.
The club’s strong start to the season, coupled with Kirk’s contract situation, gives them leverage to demand a significant fee. Peterborough, known for their persistence in the transfer market, may need to break their typical financial model to secure the deal.
Peterborough’s interest in Makenzie Kirk reflects their commitment to building a competitive squad, but St Johnstone’s reluctance to sell poses a significant hurdle. The coming weeks will determine whether The Posh can convince the Scottish club to part with their star striker or if they will pivot to alternative targets.
For now, Makenzie Kirk remains a St Johnstone player, but the allure of League One and Peterborough’s track record of developing talent could yet sway the young forward. The Posh faithful are hopeful that their club can land a player who could follow in the footsteps of their past success stories and light up the division.
