Leeds United are reportedly among the clubs interested in securing the services of Derby County midfielder Jason Knight in January.
According to The Times, Leeds United have registered interest in Jason Knight. The Derby County midfielder could be on the verge of a move away from Pride Park Stadium, with his current contract at the club expiring at the end of next season. The player is said to be available for just £8 million in the January transfer window.
Leeds United are considering making a move for Knight this month, although they are set to face stiff competition from league rivals Burnley. Derby County are open to selling the youngster as they look for a financial injection in light of the club’s recent struggles.
A central midfielder by trade, Knight, has become an integral part of the Derby County setup ever since his promotion to the senior side in 2019. In the span of just two and a half years, he has notched up 100 competitive appearances, making an impression with his consistent performances. He has also won eight caps for the Republic of Ireland, most recently featuring in the 3-0 win over Luxembourg in November.
However, the 20-year-old’s spell at Derby could soon be over, with Leeds United emerging as a potential destination. It is no secret that Marcelo Bielsa is looking for midfield reinforcements in January in the wake of a difficult start to the season.
The Whites have been linked with a move for RC Lens’ experienced operator Seko Fofana. However, the club is yet to make any noticeable movement in the market so far, other than loaning out Cody Drameh to Cardiff City.
The potential addition of Jason Knight, to that end, could prove to be a smart option. A versatile operator with an emphasis on attack, the Irish midfielder can offer competition for Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw, while he can also be utilised as a potential back-up for Raphinha on the right flank.
With just eight appearances for the Irish national team, Knight may not have much experience at the highest level of football. But at the age of 20, he has time on his side and could transform into a wise long-term investment for the club that desperately requires newer options in the middle of the park.
Available for a fee of just £8 million, Knight could, in fact, be a bargain for Leeds United if they can properly utilise the talents of the Dublin native. However, they must be wary of the competition from Burnley, who are in a position to offer more game-time to the youngster during the second half of the season.
