Watford are close to agreeing an £8million fee with Derby County for England under-21 international Will Hughes.

Marco Silva, the new Watford head coach, is offering Hughes the chance to play in the Premier League and an agreement is expected to be struck in the next few days.

Hughes has been one of the most highly regarded midfielders operating outside the top flight after making his Derby debut at the age of 16 under Nigel Clough.

Liverpool and Arsenal are just two of the elite clubs to have regularly scouted Hughes during his six years at Pride Park, but it is Watford who are finally giving him the opportunity to impress on the big stage.

Hughes' agent is Paolo Vernazza, the former Watford midfielder, and negotiations are now at an advanced stage between the two clubs. Gary Rowett, the Derby manager, is prepared to sell players to raise money for transfers and is reluctantly ready to bring Hughes' spell in the east Midlands to an end.

Derby are demanding a significant fee, which is believed to be around the £8m mark which could rise to more than £10m after instalments. The 22-year-old is currently in Poland with the England under-21s for the European Championships.

Last season, in an interview with Telegraph Sport, Hughes criticised players for choosing a career in the Premier League as a substitute over regular first-team football.

Will Hughes has been highly-rated for many years credit: REX

He said: “I’ve been linked with every team under the sun since I was 16 but I haven’t really wanted to go anywhere.

“You look at players in the Premier League at big teams, turning 20, 21, and not getting a sniff. I think some of them are happy now to pick up the money, sit on the bench for the under-23s, wish their career away. They don’t think long term that they could be without a club, struggling.

“I couldn’t think of anything worse. Some players are comfortable sitting on the bench but I don’t like that all. I can’t imagine that ever happening with me.”

Hughes is currently in Poland on England U21 duty credit: GETTY IMAGES

Hughes is now on the verge of his big move, however, as Silva prepares for his first season at Vicarage Road.

Cyrus Christie, the Derby defender, could be another player on the way out after Brighton, Middlesbrough and Reading expressed an interest in signing him.

The Republic of Ireland international is available for a fee of around £1.5million, with a year left on his contract.