Hull City's £20m Charlie Hughes statement: Coventry City woe is their biggest win | OneFootball

Retaining Charlie Hughes' services was pivotal to Hull City's aims for the season

Varying circumstances often determine the success - or lack of - regarding transfer business, with Hull City's activity this summer proving intriguing to say the least.

In the first transfer window of the Sergej Jakirovic era, City faced a punishment of a three-window transfer fee restriction - which has since been cut to two - meaning those within the club's inner-workings had to conduct business in an extremely smart manner.

After a dismal season in which the club's Championship status was preserved by virtue of goal difference last season, steady progression has been the overriding theme so far this campaign in East Yorkshire, especially when taking the aforementioned hand Jakirovic had been dealt with into account.

Whilst supporters at the MKM Stadium have come away from the recently closed window extremely satisfied with the 10 new faces who have come through the door, there can be very little debate that the biggest piece of business conducted in East Yorkshire across the summer was the retention of Charlie Hughes.

Charlie Hughes retention amid well-documented Coventry City interest was Hull City's biggest transfer window success

Hughes has been one of the EFL's most highly-rated prospects for some time now, catching the eye during an initial breakthrough at Wigan Athletic, during which he was named captain of then-head coach, Shaun Maloney's extremely youthful side.

Unsurprisingly, the Liverpudlian's rapid growth and future potential caught the eye of Brentford and West Ham United, and it was a major coup when Tim Walter - as unsuccessful as the German's short-lived tenure in HU3 was - swooped to sign the 21-year-old from the Latics for a fee of just £3.5m last summer.

Following a below-par debut at Norwich City last October, the young centre-back became an immediate hit with those in the stands for his composure on the ball, aerial authority and strong leadership qualities, the latter of which were demonstrated as he received the armband during Lewie Coyle's recent injury absence.

An array of consistent performances led to Hughes being named as Hull's Young Player of the Year, and it was no surprise that, given the club's uncertain financial situation, their resolve would be tested when it came to retaining his services throughout the summer.

In what felt like a 'domino effect' saga, both Sheffield United and Coventry City were mooted as potential destinations in what would have represented a reunion with former Tigers boss, Ruben Selles, or a move to last season's play-off semi-finalists.

Despite strong confidence from those associated with the West Midlands club that Frank Lampard would be able to lure one of the second-tier's hottest properties to the CBS Arena, the Sky Blues' attempts would come to no avail as they saw bids in the region of £4m, £7m and £10m all knocked back.

By the time the window closed at 7PM on Monday, the retention of their prized asset was arguably Hull's biggest piece of business as they look to progress in the short-term, as well as sitting on a goldmine of cash should Hughes' trajectory continue in its current fashion.

Charlie Hughes has the potential to become Hull City's record departure in the coming years

Hughes penned a four-year contract with the option of a further year following his move from Greater Manchester to HU3 last August, meaning the bargaining power very much remains in Hull's hands.

Prior to the last of Coventry's aforementioned bids - the only one of which reached an eight-figure sum - it was claimed that the Tigers could value their key defender in the region of £20m should his strong form continue between now and next May. Many believe he has the ability to surpass homegrown centre-back Jacob Greaves, who was sold to current divisional rivals Ipswich Town for a £15m upfront sum plus £3m in potential add-ons last summer.

Despite an uncharacteristic error in Saturday's 4-2 away defeat to Bristol City, Jakirovic will have full confidence in Hughes to back up exactly why he was in demand so much this summer, and that could potentially see him become the club's record departure depending on how circumstances unfold in the next 12 months.

Hughes has been tipped to become a future Three Lions international after previously making three appearances at Under-20 level, with City's current record sale also a regular in the current England side in the form of Jarrod Bowen, who moved to West Ham for a fee in excess of £20m back in January 2020.