Hughes to Coventry?

01 August 2001

Reports suggest that Lee Hughes is wanted by Coventry City. Apparently, John Hartson will be leaving the Sky Blues for Celtic today in a move valued at around £6 million, having just met up with boss Martin O'Neill in Edinburgh. The report suggests that Coventry will pay whatever Albion want for the services of the striker, whose value has been stated as high as £7 million in the past.

However, this doesn't take account of the fact that Hughes has said that he wants Premiership football - and they will have to persuade him that he stands a greater chance of getting it there than he will at Albion. On the other hand, Hughes also wanted £16 thousand a week, and with their Premiership "parachute money" they should have no problem in affording his services.

So, if he does go there - what reception will he get from Albion fans? Most seem to be of the view that they'll understand a move to a Premiership side, but won't be so happy to see him line up for a rival Division One team. And many are still bitter at the memory of Cyrille Regis making the same move all those years ago...

Meanwhile, back at the Hawthorns, Chairman Paul Thompson still believes that Hughes will start the season as a Baggies player. The Club have confirmed they have received bids for Hughes but refused to reveal who they had come from on the grounds of confidentiality. However, he said that no offer has yet been made that the Club consider to be acceptable, which would suggest that they are looking for more than the bid made by Birmingham City - reportedly of £4 million.

He has, however, said that any transfer money received would go straight back into the playing squad:

"The only thing I can say is that we will either have Lee Hughes playing for us or a substantial fee to re-invest in our team."

Previous Stories:

  31 July 2001:  Hughes breaks silence

  30 July 2001:  Hughes: War of the Words

  27 July 2001:  Roberts out for six weeks

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