Wigan Athletic: It is clear where Charlie Hughes money should be spent - View | OneFootball

It is clear where Wigan Athletic should spend their Charlie Hughes money once the defender joins Hull City

Wigan Athletic have not endured an ideal start to the new EFL season, losing their opening League One game 1-0 on home turf to Charlton Athletic, before being knocked out of the EFL Cup via a penalty shootout at the hands of Barnsley, also at the Brick Community Stadium.

Shaun Maloney's men will hope to pick up a more positive result when they travel to Reading on Saturday for their second league fixture, but the Latics will likely have to do it without star defender Charlie Hughes.

Championship side Hull City have been heavily linked with Hughes throughout the transfer window, as the Tigers deem the 20-year-old to be an adequate replacement for Jacob Greaves after the latter joined Ipswich Town, who are newly promoted to the Premier League.

Tigers boss Tim Walter told the Hull Daily Mail that Hughes could be making the switch to Humberside in time for their second tier trip to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday,

He said: "He's (Hughes) a great player, so for us, it's a young, experienced player and that's good because we want to improve.

"We want to develop young players with a lot of experience and that's what he showed in his former club.

"First, we need other things to happen and then maybe he could (play on Saturday)."

The Hull Daily Mail have also revealed that the Tigers will pay £4m for the services of Hughes, while Latics boss Shaun Maloney told BBC Radio Manchester: "We've accepted a bid for him today (Tuesday) and look, I expect him to be travelling there.

"The way we sort of work it, and our owner has been brilliant, we're still picking up the pieces of the last 18 months, so a lot of that fee will also go back to the club to offset losses, but they will give us a percentage to put back in the squad.

"I will spend that money when it's the right person, it's not going to be massive amounts, but if it's the right person, we can try and bring them to the club."

It is clear where Maloney should spend Hughes money

As revealed by the Latics boss, a portion of the money the Greater Manchester outfit are set to make when they sell Hughes will be put into the transfer budget.

While the England youth international is an outstanding central defender, who is not only a rock at the back but also key to the way in which the Tics play possession-based football, Maloney should not put this money towards a direct replacement for his star man.

With the recent signings of Will Aimson and Toby Sibbick, while Jason Kerr renewed his contract earlier in the summer, the Latics still have depth in central defence even when Hughes leaves.

However, Maloney does not have such rich options in forward areas, as young Manchester United loanee and the inexperienced Josh Stones are the club's only out-and-out strikers.

Therefore, the Latics should spend the money they are set to receive for their centre-back on an experienced striker, who could help the Greater Manchester side achieve their play-off aspirations.

Maloney wants a new striker

Earlier this month, the Scot revealed: "I've said publicly this week that if a certain profile of a No.9, became available, to push Josh (Stones) and Joe (Hugill), we'd look to do it.

"But if it doesn't, no problem, we'll go with what we have."

With Hughes now set to leave the Brick Community Stadium, Maloney will have the resources to go out and buy the sort of striker he is keen to bring to Greater Manchester.