Exclusive: Sheffield United Refuse to End Hunt for Hull City’s Charlie Hughes Despite First Bid Rebuff

Sheffield United will refuse to end their pursuit of Hull City defender Charlie Hughes, SportsBoom understands, despite refusing to meet their Championship rivals’ valuation of the player.

After selling Anel Ahmedhodžić to Feyenoord, new Blades boss Ruben Selles is hoping to strengthen his rearguard before the end of the summer transfer window.

Hughes, who impressed under the Spaniard at the MKM Stadium last term, is one of the leading names on United’s wanted list having considered swooping for the 21-year-old before his switch to East Yorkshire.

Although City’s undisclosed asking price is beyond what United are ready to pay, sources close to the club have insisted that does not mean their interest in the former Wigan Athletic player is over. 

On the contrary, despite reports insisting they are now being forced to consider alternative options, Bramall Lane’s hierarchy believe a combination of factors means they still have a chance of getting their man. 

And a second bid for the player is expected.

PRECARIOUS POSITION

City’s precarious financial situation is chief among them, with the EFL placing them under a transfer embargo until January due to late payment of a debt. 

Although at first glance that would appear to make brokering a deal for Hughes even tougher, Sergej Jakirovic’s employers hope they can get that lifted by demonstrating their books are in order.

Banking a sizeable fee for Hughes would be one way of doing that. But, perhaps more importantly, the youngster has made no secret of his admiration for Selles after working with him towards the end of the previous campaign when he guided a side spiralling towards relegation to safety on the final day of the campaign.

Insiders this morning claimed that, despite City’s intransigence, Hughes would be keen to explore the possibility of resurrecting his partnership with Selles given the Blades status among the promotion favourites.

Voted City’s young player of the season, Hughes was described as an England international in waiting after joining City.