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Addicks in for Hughes
Jun 16 2004
By Colin Tattum, Evening Mail
Charlton Athletic have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Blues midfielder Bryan Hughes on a Bosman free transfer.
It is understood that Addicks manager Alan Curbishley has targeted Hughes, who turns 28 on Saturday, as one of several players who could revamp his team.
Curbishley dismissed speculation that he was to move for Kanu, who has been released by Arsenal, but he admitted he had signed two players who could not be unveiled officially until July 1.
That suggests both are out of contract on that date --standard football contracts pass from one year to the next at midnight on June 30 - and Hughes comes into that category.
He stalled on a new threeyear deal offered by Blues, then rejected it, which resulted in manager Steve Bruce withdrawing it altogether.
Hughes decided to look elsewhere for regular firstteam football after seven years at St Andrew's because of Blues' strength in midfield.
He knew Muzzy Izzet was on his way in from Leicester City and only got into the team during the second-half of last season because of injuries.
Everton and Bolton Wanderers expressed interest earlier in the season when Hughes was out in the cold and Leicester have been long-standing admirers.
Charlton and Curbishley have so far remained coy, similar to Blues who have lined up winger Julian Gray from Crystal Palace on a Bosman free transfer.
* Almost 19,000 Blues fans have renewed season tickets, up by around 1,000 on the same stage last year.
Blues had a record 22,500 season ticket holders last season - the maximum allowed at St Andrew's under Premier League rules - and the deadline for those still wishing to renew has been extended until June 21.
