Gary Rowett has admitted it had been a “difficult decision” to sell Will Hughes but said the new Watford midfielder had told him “he needed a new challenge”.

The midfielder was confirmed as the Hornets’ first signing of the summer on Saturday for a fee understood to be in the region of £4.5million rising to £8m.

The Derby County boss is looking to reshape his squad ahead of the new Championship season and speaking to RamsTV, reported by the Derby Telegraph, he said: “From a financial aspect we have Financial Fair Play and things like that we have to adhere to. We’re trying to restructure and rebuild around different factors.

“We thought it was a sensible decision – a difficult decision – I can understand it’s difficult for a lot of the fans, but like I’ve said before we have to make tough decisions to get to where we want to be.

“I have to make sure every player here next year is thoroughly committed to what we’re doing and it was an opportunity for Will and he certainly wanted to explore it.”

Hughes is currently preparing for England Under-21’s European Championship semi-final against Germany tomorrow and Rowett also spoke about the discussion he had with the former Rams midfielder prior to his Vicarage Road move.

“We had the enquiry (from Watford) and I spoke to Will,” he said. “You always try to gauge what a player is thinking and how a player feels about it.

“Will said to me after two difficult seasons he really felt he needed a new challenge.

“I don’t suggest for one minute he doesn’t feel the same way about the club, because he does. He’s grown up here being a big part of it, but when you hear a player say that you have to be open minded.”