Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece has been sharing some insight on the recent transfer rumours linking the Midlands club with a move for Watford midfielder Will Hughes this summer.
This comes after Preece made an appearance on a recent episode of the Birmingham Mail’s Claret & Blue Podcast where he spoke about a number of topics concerning Dean Smith’s side.
On the subject of Villa’s reported interest in Hughes and the possibility of him joining the Villans this summer, Preece had this to say.
He said: “I’ve heard nothing concrete regarding that.
“I think Craig Shakespeare knows him well from his little stint at Watford.
“I’ve heard nothing of that. I don’t think Villa need a player of that ilk, to be fair. I think, [a] left-footed player, playmaker kind of player – I mean, [John] McGinn is like that, I guess?
“I can’t see Villa going there, to be honest, I really can’t.”
Hughes joined Watford in the 2017 summer transfer window from Championship side Derby County for a fee of £8.19 million.
Since then, the 26-year-old, who is currently valued at £6.3 million, has made 118 appearances for the Hornets across all competitions in which he has managed to score eight goals and provide 10 assists in the process.
TIF Thoughts on Ashley Preece’s comments on Hughes…
Taking into account what Preece had to say, it seems as though a potential move to Villa Park for Hughes this summer is not on the cards at this moment in time.
Would you take Will Hughes at Villa?
Yes
No
In our view, given how Villa already have a number of players in their squad that can play as a centre-midfielder such as Douglas Luiz, Marvelous Nakamba, Conor Hourihane, Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Sanson and John McGinn as Preece mentioned, perhaps a move for Hughes isn’t needed this summer.
Also, the fact that Hughes has now reportedly been told to train with Watford’s U23s until a contract solution can be reached at the club, after he reportedly rejected the offer of a new five-year contract at Vicarage Road, says to us that perhaps Villa should avoid making a move for Hughes if he’s causing some issues at Watford over his future.