Derby County will demand a minimum £12 million for England U21 international Will Hughes in the January transfer window.
Hughes has emerged as one of the most sought-after young midfielders in the country and has been scouted frequently by Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal over the last 12 months.
But Derby are determined to retain the teenager for at least the remainder of this season and will attempt to resist offers from Premier League clubs.
Derby's American owners have refused to place an official price tag on the 18-year-old but it is understood chief executive Sam Rush will not entertain any offers below £12m.
Rush was previously chief operating officer with the highly respected Wasserman Media Group agency and is ready to take a combative approach to clubs showing interest in the New Year.
Wilfried Zaha was sold to Manchester United last January for an initial £10m, rising to £15m based on appearances and success, and Derby believe Hughes is worth a similar amount.
Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, is a huge admirer and has dispatched chief scout Dave Fallows to regularly watch him this season.
Rodgers is not considering Hughes as a priority target for January, however, and will only make a move if rival clubs table a serious offer.
Derby manager Steve McClaren has admitted he will leave Pride Park at some stage in the future and said: "Our job is to make sure he makes it.
"Eventually he will be too good. What we need behind that is players coming through to replace him."
Source: Daily Telegraph
No comments:
Post a Comment