Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly keen on Chester defender Sam Hughes.
General view of Selhurst Park
According to the Chester Chronicle, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers have joined the race to sign Chester youngster Sam Hughes.
A number of Premier League players have risen from non-league football to become major players in the top flight, with Chris Smalling, Michail Antonio, Jamie Vardy and Charlie Austin just a few examples.
Their exploits higher up the pyramid mean that clubs are starting to look at non-league prospects more closely, in the hope of unearthing the next gem.
Now, the Chester Chronicle report that, whilst Barnsley are leading the race for Chester’s Sam Hughes, Crystal Palace have now joined the race for his signature.
Hughes, 19, has come up through the ranks with Chester, and the centre back has become a key player for the National League side, prompting interest in him.
The report claims that Barnsley had a bid rejected for Hughes in January, and are likely to return with a new move in the summer, but more clubs are now joining the race.
Wolves manager Paul Lambert
It’s stated that Palace sent scouts to watch Hughes in action against Gateshead on Saturday, with Premier League rivals Swansea City and Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers also keen.
Hughes is out of contract at the end of the season, and whilst Chester have offered him a new deal to stay with the club, they expect him to leave – possibly via a tribunal if compensation can’t be agreed.
Few players jump straight from non-league to the Premier League but Hughes could make that leap this summer, though the prospect of more playing time with Championship clubs like Barnsley or Wolves could also be appealing to the teenage centre back.
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