The Chester City defender is being scouted by Wolves and Aston Villa – though Barnsley have history when it comes to non-league signings.
Chester City’s highly-rated centre-back Sam Hughes could hardly hide his frustration after being denied a move to Championship high-flyers Barnsley in the January transfer window, as reported by The Standard.
However, with the Daily Mail claiming that he could be available for as little as £150,000, it seems inevitable that the 19-year-old defender will earn a move into the professional game in the summer. Although you get the feeling that Barnsley may be rueing their inability to get a deal over the line.
Especially with Aston Villa and Wolves, two of the second tier’s most illustrious and ambitious clubs, scouting Hughes on multiple occasions in the last few months, as reported by the Chester Chronicle.
Villa will have their eyes on a return to the Premier League next season after spending around £70 million this season alone. And, as epitomised by the recent signing of 17-year-old defender Jacob Bedeau from Bury, they are planning for the future as well.
Wolves, meanwhile, have a promising crop of young players at their disposal with manager Paul Lambert giving opportunities to the likes of Bright Enobakhare (below) and Connor Ronan in recent months.
However, with the Yorkshire Post reporting that both Swansea City and West Brom are tracking the progress of the ever-improving Barnsley centre-back Marc Roberts, Barnsley are facing up to the prospect of losing yet another first-team player.
Therefore, it seems essential that The Tykes fight off competition for Hughes before they end up a defender light in the summer. Furthermore, although Barnsley do not harbour the same promotion ambitions as Wolves and Villa, the teenager should perhaps remember that Roberts himself was playing non-league football with Halifax Town less than two years ago.
His centre-back partner Angus MacDonald, meanwhile, was contracted to Conference outfit Torquay United until last summer.
Time will tell, however, whether the allure of Wolves and Villa proves impossible to ignore.
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