Manchester City's failure to make new signings this month is beginning to unsettle the current squad.
The Mail on Sunday says the lack of movement is leading to unrest in the City dressing room with several players unsure where their futures lie after January.
Israel defender Tal Ben Haim and Brazilian pair Elano and Jo are getting fed up with being left in limbo as Hughes chases other players in their positions.
Even goalkeeper Joe Hart has become unsettled with Newcastle No 1 Shay Given being strongly linked with a move to Eastlands. Hart, 21, fears a long spell on the bench will damage his England prospects after recently breaking into Fabio Capello's squad.
Ben Haim is keen to link up with former manager Sam Allardyce at Ewood Park and will be a makeweight in the Santa Cruz deal if Allardyce gets his asking price and lines up a strike replacement.
But until Hughes signs players, he cannot let existing ones go and that is causing disharmony in the ranks.