Report: Newcastle United prepare Will Hughes bid

Newcastle United are reportedly leading the chase to sign Derby County starlet Will Hughes.

The 18-year-old, who made 38 first-team appearances for the Rams last season, is understood to have attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

However, according the The Mirror, Newcastle are at the front of the queue, as they are willing to pay £10m for Hughes's signature this summer and then allow the player to return to Pride Park immediately on a year-long loan.

Hughes, whose current Derby contract expires in June 2016, has been capped twice by England at Under-21 level.