Hughton embraces challenge of tackling Championship big spenders [The Argus]

Chris Hughton is ready to take on the big spenders. Picture by Richard Parkes

/ Andy Naylor, Chief sports reporter

Albion boss Chris Hughton has embraced the challenge of facing big-spending Newcastle in the Championship this season as his old club attempt to prise away one of his main assets.
The Argus exclusively revealed yesterday the Seagulls’ rejection of a multi-million pound bid from the North-East giants for French winger Anthony Knockaert.
Hughton, sidestepping Newcastle’s interest in Knockaert, has no qualms talking about tackling a club that has already splashed out £35 million on a handful of new signings, paying wages of up to £45,000 a week.
He told The Argus: “Good luck to them. They are in a position where they can do that. They’ve bought very well but these are the challenges.
"They’ve come down with parachute payments, they are a massive club and they are doing their very best to make sure they go straight back up again.

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“I don’t feel any way about that. Clubs have to do what they can within what they are capable of financially. If there’s somebody who can do far more than others that’s their prerogative.”Albion chairman Tony Bloom has turned down bids from the Toon for Knockaert, from Burnley for Dale Stephens and Crystal Palace for Lewis Dunk which would have raked in between £15 and £20 million.
Hughton added: “What I think that says is we have an owner who enjoyed what he saw last season and wants us to be challenging again in what will be as tough a season, if not tougher.
"It’s common knowledge there has been interest in some. We certainly want to keep our best players.”


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