Crystal Palace told replacing Marc Guehi with "raw talent" at Hull City will be hard | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have targeted Hull City's Charlie Hughes as a potential Marc Guehi replacement

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Premier League outfit Crystal Palace have reportedly earmarked Hull City's star defender Charlie Hughes as a potential replacement for the Manchester City-bound Marc Guehi.

According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace have turned their attention to Hull City's Charlie Hughes as a potential replacement for the outgoing Marc Guehi.

Guehi has been one of the Premier League's outstanding defenders over the past couple of seasons, playing an integral role in the Eagles' FA Cup triumph last campaign, captaining the club to their first major trophy in their history.

Now, Guehi has signed for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, leaving Palace short in that area of the pitch, with Hughes emerging as a potential option.

Hughes has been an almost ever-present in the Tigers' back line this season alongside either John Egan or Semi Ajayi, and has taken his game to the next level under Jakirovic, unsurprisingly attracting Premier League interest as a result.

Hull will be reluctant to allow Hughes to leave this winter, especially with their current transfer embargo lasting until the summer, preventing them from signing players for fees this month.

Hull City are unlikely to sell Charlie Hughes this January amid their transfer embargo

Football League World's Hull fan pundit, Cameron, has shared their views on Palace's link with Hughes, and whether he can see the defender leaving the club as early as this January, with Premier League interest mounting.

Cameron said: "I don't think there will be any move to be done in January. Obviously, we're under a transfer embargo. We can't spend money, we can't replace, so I don't think we'd be selling Charlie Hughes.

"I watch him week in, week out, and he's an absolutely outstanding raw talent. He's got amazing ability, displayed every week. This season, he's been absolutely class, but I still think he's not ready for the Premier League week in, week out.

"I think if he were to go to Palace, he might not stay in the team for 38 games per season in the Premier League. I think it'd be best to finish this season with us and assess his options in the summer.

"We're looking to get into the playoffs ourselves, and I think Charlie's been a massive part of that. He's had the captain's armband on numerous times, which shows our loyalty to him. I think he's going to stay. I can't see him leaving this January whatsoever.

"Our owner, Acun, has said he's not desperate to sell. He doesn't need to sell. And I think he's even said he won't sell Charlie Hughes this January. So yeah, I can't imagine him leaving for Palace this season."

Hull City, Sergej Jakirovic will be desperate to keep Charlie Hughes beyond the January window with the play-offs in their sights

Hull have defied pre-season expectations to catapult themselves into the play-off conversation at the midway point in the Championship season.

Their transfer embargo meant that many had tipped them to struggle, relying on free transfers and loan deals, but if anything, it has played into their hands.

Oli McBurnie signed on a free transfer after his deal with Spanish side Las Palmas expired, whilst Joe Gelhardt signed from Leeds United on loan, with the pair proving to be excellent in front of goal this campaign.

Hughes signed for Hull in the summer of 2024 for £3.5 million after the sale of Jacob Greaves to Ipswich, and could well prove to be the next lucrative sale out of Humberside after the aforementioned Greaves, Jaden Philogene, and Jarrod Bowen.

Jakirovic and Hull