Watford agree £7m deal for Derby County’s England Under-21s midfielder Will Hughes
Premier League Hornets have secured the signing of highly-rated Championship star
WATFORD have sealed a £7million deal for Derby County's Will Hughes.
The talented midfielder is currently away with England at the European Under-21s Championship.
New Hornets head coach Marco Silva is offering the Rams star the opportunity to play Premier League football and Sky Sports are reporting that the deal has been done.
Hughes is regarded as one of the most promising players outside of the top-flight.
He made his debut under Nigel Clough aged 16 and has gone on to become one of the club’s most important men.
Big boys Arsenal and Liverpool are two of the clubs that have been monitoring his progress during the past six years.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
But Watford have offered him the chance to step-up to the big stage.
Former Hornets midfielder Paolo Vernazza is Hughes’ agent and he is believed to have negotiated the deal.
Derby boss Gary Rowett is willing to offload some of his money in order to raise funds for a summer rebuild.
The Championship outfit are pushing for £7m plus a further £2m in add-ons.
Speaking to last season, Hughes hit out at players who choose to be a sub over playing regular football in the top-flight.
He said: “I’ve been linked with every team under the sun since I was 16 but I haven’t really wanted to go anywhere.
Will Hughes factfile
- The 22-year-old midfielder was born on April 17 1995 in Weybridge
- Having played for junior side Mickleover Jubilee, Hughes joined Derby in 2011
- He made his senior debut against Peterborough aged just 16 in November 2011
- Manchester City and neighbours United were both linked with a move for him the following February
- The following year Arsenal and Liverpool began monitoring his progress
- In total, he has played 165 Championship matches for the Rams
- Hughes has won 17 caps for England Under-21s and scored twice
“You look at players in the Premier League at big teams, turning 20, 21, and not getting a sniff.
“I think some of them are happy now to pick up the money, sit on the bench for the under-23s, wish their career away. They don’t think long term that they could be without a club, struggling.
“I couldn’t think of anything worse. Some players are comfortable sitting on the bench but I don’t like that all. I can’t imagine that ever happening with me.”