Exclusive: Middlesbrough FC plot Hull City transfer raid - it could cost £10m+ | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are lining up an ambitious move for in-demand Hull City defender Charlie Hughes, Football League World has learned

Middlesbrough are eyeing an ambitious deal for Hull City star Charlie Hughes as Kim Hellberg seeks to bolster his defensive options in order to maintain the side's ongoing Premier League promotion push, Football League World understands.

The Teessiders have enjoyed a hugely-promising first-half of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and remain firmly in contention for a return to the top-flight following Sunday afternoon's statement 4-0 victory over Southampton at the Riverside Stadium.

Despite an overall slump in form across the Festive period, Middlesbrough are still going strong and find themselves positioned in second place, two points above Ipswich Town and six behind league leaders Coventry City.

Owner Steve Gibson will be extremely pleased with how the club have coped following the sudden departure of Rob Edwards to Wolves back in November, with Hellberg proving to be something of a revelation on Teesside after joining from Swedish outfit Hammarby.

Now, Gibson is looking to dig into his pockets and arm Hellberg with the necessary transfer warchest this month to tighten Middlesbrough's hold on automatic promotion, with an eye-catching potential move for Hughes very much on the cards...

Middlesbrough eyeing Hull City, Charlie Hughes transfer raid

Football League World can exclusively reveal that Middlesbrough have set their sights on Hughes' signature as they bid to tighten up defensively and step ever closer to an emphatic Premier League return.

It's understood that Boro are ready to join the chase for Hughes, who is not short of suitors following an impressive season-and-a-half with the Tigers.

The 22-year-old joined Hull from Wigan Athletic for a reported £3.5 million figure in the summer of 2024 and caught the eye as City narrowly avoided relegation last time out, but has only grown in importance amid his side's unexpected emergence as play-off contenders under Sergej Jakirovic.

Hughes has established himself as a consistent standout performer at the heart of Hull's backline, having only missed two league games for the seventh-placed outfit this term.

FLW has also learned that this interest comes after Hughes put in a particularly impressive display during Hull's 1-0 victory at the Riverside on December 29, which will have no doubt put Boro bosses on red alert.

Middlesbrough transfer for Hull City's Charlie Hughes could cost £10m+

A deal for Hughes, however, won't come cheap.

The ex-England youth international's services were courted by both Coventry and Sheffield United last summer. Such advances came to no avail, though, and Frank Lampard may have been left frustrated when offers from £4 million all the way up to £10 million were rejected by Hull in a bullish desire to retain their prized asset at all costs - and Tigers owner Acun Ilicali believes Highes could be worth as much as £20 million come the summer.

With Hull also in and amongst the promotion mix, they won't be looking to sell Hughes on the cheap and while it remains unclear just how much Middlesbrough may have to cough up in order to lure the defender away from East Yorkshire, an eight-figure sum will surely be required from Gibson.