Middlesbrough FC warned against big Hull City transfer raid - 'Look at what Sunderland have done' | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been turned to focus more on experience, rather than pursue a move for Hull City defender Charlie Hughes.

Middlesbrough have stumbled in their pursuit of a top two finish and gaining automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

The Smoggies have been excellent for the vast majority of the short Kim Hellberg reign, with the former Hammarby boss replacing Rob Edwards in November, but the gap between themselves and the chasing pack is closing as league leaders Coventry City pull away.

Conor Coady scored the only goal of the game in midweek as Charlton Athletic inflicted a 1-0 defeat onto ‘Boro at the Riverside Stadium on Teesside, meaning that they have managed just two victories in six matches since leapfrogging Coventry to go to the top-of-the-table in mid-February.

As they plan for all eventualities, the summer transfer window is set to be an intriguing one for the club and one man that they have been linked with is Charlie Hughes.

Middlesbrough warned about the signing of Charlie Hughes

In the January transfer window, Middlesbrough were interested in a move for Hull City centre-back Charlie Hughes.

A deal never materialised for the 22-year-old defender and he has remained with the Tigers as they also push for promotion, sitting fifth in the table and six points behind Middlesbrough with nine games to go.

Despite being viewed as one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL, FLW ‘s Middlesbrough Fan Pundit Liam Day believes that ‘Boro should seek alternatives to Hughes should they indeed eventually get themselves promoted.

Liam says: “I certainly think he’d be a decent option for ‘Boro.

“He seems really talented but I’m not sure ‘Boro need young prospects when we get promoted.

“You need a right mix, look at what Sunderland have done. I’d like a bit more experience at the top level. Not necessarily old age 30+ but I’d like someone who has played La Liga, Bundesliga. I’m not sure who that is but I’m sure the recruitment team will have things planned and prepared.

“I’m not against signing players from the Championship. You look at teams from the past that have done that such as Ipswich and Luton. Supposedly having a ‘super team’ but they’ve not done particularly well in the Prem or when they’ve come back down.

“I’d like us to go for it and sign big players. Not necessarily big names but players who are proven to be able to play at the top level.

“Maybe he (Hughes) can but I’m not sure he’s ready now and I think we need players who are ready now.”

Charlie Hughes was and has been sheer class with Wigan and then Hull

The production line at Wigan Athletic has earned itself an extremely impressive reputation, with a few key members of their first-team squad, most notably Sam Tickle and James Carragher, having come through the ranks.

In recent years, the Latics have been able to cash in on hot prospects such as Jensen Weir and Alfie Devine, as well as Charlie Hughes’ Hull teammate Joe Gelhardt.

Perhaps the most impressive graduate, though, is indeed Hughes, who was sensational for Wigan as he made 76 appearances for the club ahead of a big money move to Hull in the summer of 2024.

Hughes has established himself as a key man for the Tigers, too, and is expected to be valued at a very high price this summer, with interest expected to be high if Hull do miss out on promotion.

Coventry were linked with a move for him last year and had a bid rumoured to be worth £7 million rejected and an even higher price may be asked for this summer so Middlesbrough will have to stump up a fair bit if they were to go back in for the Golborne-born defender.