Mark Hughes is due to complete a permanent move to Athletic. Tottenham allowed him to come to Boundary Park, initially on a one month loan, and have now agreed to release the 21-year-old midfielder from his contract. No transfer fee will be involved. Negotiations with Hughes and his agent are currently underway and it is hoped that a deal can be struck which will keep Mark wearing an Athletic shirt until the summer of 2006. Hughes failed to break into the Spurs first team in five years and they are presently buying as if money is going out of fashion. This moves him down the pecking order so a permanent move would suit the youngster who has made a big impact since his arrival.
Speaking to the Oldham Chronicle, Brian Talbot said, “It would be great to keep Mark as our own player, so hopefully the negotiations will go well. He has been excellent in his time at the club – he’s the kind of unsung midfielder who sweeps everything up and allows others to play a more attacking game.”