Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has reportedly made a shortlist of players he wants to bring to St James’ Park this summer, and Derby’s Will Hughes is one of those names.
The highly talented youngster is seen as one of the Football League’s hottest prospects despite spending the majority of this season out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Benitez has recently penned a new three-year contract with the Magpies and has now turned his attention to strengthening his squad during the summer.
Also on the shortlist are Leeds United’s Lewis Cook (which you can read about here) and Brighton’s towering centre-back Lewis Dunk.
Still just 21 years-old, Hughes has already played over 130 games for Derby since making his senior debut for the Rams back in 2011.
Becoming a main stay in the first team at the age of just 18, the attacking-minded midfielder played three full seasons at the Pride Park Stadium prior to his injury this campaign.
Highly rated at International level, Hughes made his debut for England as an Under-17 and was promoted to the Under-21 setup in 2012 and is still an active member of that squad, with 17 caps to his name.
