Hughes can go — if the price is right

LEE HUGHES: We don't want him to go, but...

TOP scorer Lee Hughes can leave Athletic for £400,000 during next month’s transfer window.

A release clause in the striker’s contract allows him to quit Boundary Park if any club comes up with the minimum offer.

The decision would be taken out of Athletic’s hands and, although no bids have been received, there is a distinct chance of rivals teams exploiting the situation.

Championship strugglers Doncaster are among the clubs watching Hughes (32), who has hit nine goals this season and is due out of contract in June.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy admitted: “It could well be the case that Doncaster are interested in Lee, and I suppose a lot of clubs should be because he’s a good player.

“We wouldn’t want to sell any of our good players while we are challenging for promotion, but it looks like clubs have been made aware of the release clause in Lee’s contract.”

Hughes has spent most of his career in the top two divisions and is keen on a return to the Championship.

If any clubs trigger the clause by offering £400,000, Athletic will be powerless. And unless there is a bidding war, they will not receive a higher fee.

Alternatively, Hughes could wait until his deal runs out next summer and then walk away as a free agent.

Athletic, however, hope he will stay throughout their promotion push and fulfil his Championship ambitions at Boundary Park.

The former Coventry and West Brom star – who once commanded a transfer fee of £5million — is settled in the area and has rebuilt his career since leaving prison.

But Athletic are bracing themselves for a busy transfer window as offers are also expected for winger Chris Taylor, and possibly other members of the squad.

Meanwhile, the home league match against Leeds United has been brought forward 24 hours to Monday, March 2, and will be live on Sky Sports.