Football League World
·14 August 2024
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·14 August 2024
Hull City are closing in on a signing from Wigan Athletic after fee was agreed
Hull City are close to completing a deal to sign Charlie Hughes from Wigan Athletic for £4 million.
According to Hull Live, a fee has been agreed between the two clubs for the 20-year-old.
Hughes was absent from the Latics’ starting lineup last weekend amid speculation over his future, coming off the bench in the final 20 minutes of their 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic.
The defender has been a key figure in Shaun Maloney’s side, having come through the ranks of the club’s academy system.
The youngster made 43 appearances in League One last season, including 42 starts, as the team finished 12th in the table (all stats from Fbref).
Maloney has confirmed that the League One side accepted an offer on Tuesday for Hughes.
The player had been left out of the matchday squad entirely for the team’s EFL Cup clash on Tuesday evening against Barnsley, which they lost on penalties.
"We've accepted a bid for him today [Tuesday] and look, I expect him to be travelling there," said Maloney, via the BBC on Twitter.
“I expect him to sign for that club tomorrow [Wednesday].
"The way we sort of work it, and our owner has been brilliant, we're still picking up the pieces of the last 18 months, so a lot of that fee will also go back to the club to offset losses but they will give us a percentage to put back in the squad.
"I will spend that money when it's the right person, it's not going to be massive amounts, but if it's the right person, we can try and bring them to the club."
Hughes came through the ranks of the Wigan academy system, but is now set to make the jump back up to the Championship, where he previously played 20 times for the club before their 2023 relegation.
Hull have already made a number of signings so far this summer following the appointment of Tim Walter as manager.
Ryan Giles completed a permanent move to the MKM Stadium after spending the second half of last year on loan from Luton Town.
Liam Millar, Anthony Racioppi and Cody Drameh have also joined the side on a permanent basis, as well as Marvin Mehlem.
The Tigers have until 30 August to finalise any remaining deals before the window closes for the remainder of the calendar year.
Hull sold Jacob Greaves earlier in the summer to Ipswich Town, which was a big blow to their defensive options.
Bringing in a promising young talent like Hughes in his place for £4 million could prove a very smart piece of business to replace him.
The centre-back has a lot of potential, and is ready to make the step back up to the Championship again after a solid year in League One.