How much Charlie Hughes earns at Hull City as Middlesbrough eye £20m-rated star | OneFootball

Football League World exclusively revealed Boro's ambitious interest in the Tigers' prized asset

Middlesbrough and Hull City are two clubs who will bear ambitions of success in the final months of the Championship season, with Sergej Jakirovic's side only a handful of points behind Kim Hellberg's second-placed outfit.

As such, the winter transfer window could heavily impact the fortunes of both the Teesside and East Yorkshire clubs between now and the final day on May 2nd, although the Reds may have an overall easier time when it comes to recruiting players between now and the transfer deadline of 7PM on Monday, February 2nd.

That is not a criticism of the Tigers' unexpected start to life under the Bosnian. However, it has been well-documented that City continue to work under restrictions imposed on them by the English Football League (EFL) just weeks into Jakirovic's tenure.

After working under strict conditions at his former club, Kayserispor, which he was recently open about, the 49-year-old saw his new employers hit with a transfer fee restriction that would eventually be reduced to the period of two transfer windows, which just so happened to be the previous summer window and the current period in which business can once again be conducted by sides across the Championship.

To their credit, Jakirovic and his recruitment team at the MKM Stadium were able to make several shrewd additions on free transfers or through loan deals which required no extra payment, as well as fending off intense interest in both Ivor Pandur and Charlie Hughes.

The centre-back has become a fan favourite throughout the 18 months which have followed his £3.5m switch from Wigan Athletic in August 2024, and City were able to thwart the current second tier leaders, Coventry City, on three occasions last summer as they placed three bids - the latter of which was reportedly at the £10m mark - whilst Sheffield United also lodged an unsuccessful enquiry under the previous management of ex-Hull head coach, Ruben Selles.

However, Football League World exclusively revealed on January 5th that Middlesbrough are plotting an ambitious transfer move for Hughes, who was part of a stellar defensive display that saw City earn a crucial 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium on December 29th, exacting revenge on Hellberg's men who ran riot at the MKM Stadium 24 days before in a 4-1 success.

It remains to be seen whether Steve Gibson will be able to provide the cash that could present Hull with a dilemma, as East Yorkshire chiefs value Hughes north of £20m, whilst stating that he will be Premier League-bound in his next move.

With that being said, FLW have looked into the England youth international's ESTIMATED salary in HU3, and whether it aligns with the aforementioned viewpoints.

How much money Charlie Hughes earns in wages at Hull City amid ambitious Middlesbrough transfer talk

Even prior to his return to the Championship with Hull after making 20 appearances at the level for Wigan in 2022/23, Hughes became linked with Premier League sides in the form of Brentford and West Ham United, showcasing the top flight potential which many have tipped the 22-year-old to fulfil.

Despite the fact City were only able to avoid relegation to League One on goal difference last May, Hughes was very rarely criticised, which was proven as he scooped the Tigers' Young Player of the Season award before the aforementioned intense transfer interest from the Sky Blues and Blades came his way.

It has been more of the same from the rolls-royce defender this term too, winning a plethora of aerial duels whilst remaining as composed as ever with the ball at his feet.

Middlesbrough, of course, took his regular partner from last season, Alfie Jones, away from the Tigers in July under Rob Edwards, and are now looking to inflict further damage on their divisional rivals by plotting an ambitious route to Hughes' signature.

In terms of wages, it may surprise many to learn that Hull's prized asset is only collecting an ESTIMATED base salary of £5,000 per week at the MKM, with only four permanent and loan players said to be on a lesser salary.

Such a figure is said to be £39,500 less than top earner and Trabzonspor loanee, John Lundstram, whilst it would place him level with Sol Brynn, Alex Bangura and Sam Silvera on the Reds' own payroll.

Hull City must resist all offers for Charlie Hughes at present

It is glaringly obvious at present that Hull cannot afford to lose Hughes' services, whilst Jakirovic will hope that, if the defender does move on, such developments align with his previous verdict.

"So (in) my opinion, anything below his value we don’t need to speak at all. I will not even pick up the phone because he’s very good, and for me, his next move is to the Premier League, not the Championship," he said in August.

City are also not in a position to make any further additions until their squad is trimmed, whilst they are also light on options in defence as Semi Ajayi remains on AFCON duty with Nigeria, Ryan Giles is sidelined and both Cody Drameh and Brandon Williams have become the subject of exit talk, although FLW exclusively revealed last month that the Tigers hold an interest in a loan swoop for Burnley defender, Bashir Humphreys.