Hughes breaks silence

31 July 2001

Lee Hughes has spoken out for the first time since the announcement last Friday regarding his future with Albion. As the Club receive a "string" of enquiries for his services, and reports link him with Everton, Middlesbrough, Coventry, Southampton, Birmingham and Wolves, the man himself had this to say:

"As the club disclosed on Friday, I have turned down the offer of a new contract at West Bromwich Albion, deciding to keep my options open for the present time."

"As a Baggies fan myself, perfection would be to play Premier League football with West Bromwich Albion. Therefore I will continue to give my all every time I pull on the shirt."

Reports elsewhere have suggested that Hughes (or, rather, his agent) was asking for £16,000 a week to convince him to sign a new deal - which represents around 20% of the entire Albion wage bill for last season and is almost certainly out of the range we could afford.

Previous Stories:

  30 July 2001:  Hughes: War of the Words

  27 July 2001:  Roberts out for six weeks

  27 July 2001:  Hughes rejects new contract

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