Hughes on his way

08 August 2001

Reports from Hughes' discussions with Coventry City say that personal terms have been agreed and he will sign for them this afternoon for a fee of £5,000,001. With the 15% sell-on clause due to Kidderminster and the 10% fee due to Hughes himself because he hasn't technically asked for a transfer, Albion will be left with exactly £3,750,000.75 to spend on replacing him and strengthening the team as soon as possible.

Albion Chairman Paul Thompson has said that the fee does not meet Albion's valuation, and that they'd like to see a 15% sell-on clause in the deal with Coventry - but admitted that they had no control over these matters at all thanks to the wording in his contract which granted him the opportunity of a transfer if a bid were received in excess of 5 million.

Although it would seem fair to point the finger of blame at Tony Hale for agreeing this clause in the first place, you have to remember that we were not in such a healthy state when it was signed; had this clause not been agreed we could have seen Hughes long since departed for nothing.

Albion fans generally are unhappy about the move. Most could understand Hughes' desire to play in the Premiership, and few would honestly feel that he owed us anything after the goals he's scored since joining from Harriers and giving up the roofing job. But to see him move to a promotion rival, and to face the prospect of seeing him play against us so soon is rather more painful. At least his decision to move now rather than leave at the end of the season has netted Albion some considerable funds for team building - so let's make the most of it and move on.

Previous Stories:

  07 August 2001:  Brown: Bid rejected

  07 August 2001:  Hughes: Coventry offer... confusion!

  07 August 2001:  Hughes: All bids rejected

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