Why Hull City are not selling Charlie Hughes to Coventry City or Sheffield United right now | OneFootball

The Tigers have high hopes for their centre-back this season

Hull City are set to snub any late transfer advances for Charlie Hughes amid talk of lingering interest from Coventry City and Sheffield United.

That is according to a report from Hull Live on Tuesday morning, which outlines how the club are weighing up the 21-year-old's immediate and long-term future at the MKM Stadium.

Hughes has been an instant hit with Hull supporters ever since his move from Wigan Athletic under the management of Tim Walter last summer, continuously being the club's star performer under the German, Ruben Selles and new head coach, Sergej Jakirovic.

It has been an intriguing, yet difficult, maiden transfer window for the club's latest boss, with the club continuing to operate under restrictions imposed on them by the EFL, although their transfer window fee restriction was reduced from three windows to two after an appeal outcome was made last week.

The Hull hierarchy are currently bracing themselves for interest in their prized asset between now and the transfer deadline of 7PM next Monday, but their stance remains unchanged.

This will come as a major boost to supporters who expressed their immediate concern over his omission from Saturday's matchday squad ahead of the 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in HU3, although it was made clear afterwards this was due to illness.

Hull City set to deny Coventry City, Sheffield United the chance of signing Charlie Hughes

All three clubs have been involved in a transfer cycle involving centre-backs of late, with the Blades reportedly interested in seeing Hughes reunite with Selles at Bramall Lane, as well as links to Sky Blues defender, Bobby Thomas.

It was then reported by the Sheffield Star that the South Yorkshire club turned their focus elsewhere after believing Hull's valuation of their previous £3.5m recruit and Young Player of the Season was too steep.

Since then, Frank Lampard's side have also seen their pursuit of the 21-year-old come to no avail, with Hull Live reporting that bids in the region of £4m and £7m were swiftly rejected by the Tigers ahead of the opening day 0-0 draw between the two sides at the CBS Arena - a game in which the Liverpudlian continued his strong form.

Now, with less than a week to go until the close of business, the same publication has revealed that City will only part ways with the former England Under-20 international if a bid is too good to turn down, with those within the confines of the MKM believing that Hughes' value will reach almost £20m by next summer if his upward trajectory continues.

Hull City hierarchy are playing their cards right amid Coventry City, Sheffield United interest in Charlie Hughes

Since making his competitive debut for the club last October, it has been evident on so many occasions why the likes of Brentford and West Ham United previously registered interest in Hughes during his Wigan days.

His leadership qualities have been laid bare for all to see, hence why Jakirovic opted to hand him the captain's armband against the Sky Blues and Oxford United in place of the unavailable Lewie Coyle, as well as being such a calm and composed figure when playing out from the back.

Given the club's aims of becoming a much more stable and competitive side amid a backdrop of restrictions, it would also frustrate supporters to see their star man move across the Championship at this stage, especially when the Blades have since recruited the likes of Ben Godfrey, Nils Zatterstrom and Tyler Bindon, as well as closing in on the capture of Millwall's Japhet Tanganga.

Many have drawn comparisons between Hughes and Jacob Greaves, who was sold by Hull to Ipswich Town for £15m following the Tractor Boys' promotion to the Premier League in 2024, and there are plenty who believe Hughes can surpass the Tigers' academy graduate in terms of potential, and the club's predicted valuation will only back up such claims.