Leeds United ready bid to sign Jason Knight, central midfielder on verge of Derby exit
Leeds United are readying a bid to sign Derby central midfielder Jason Knight this month, according to The Times.
The newspaper reports that Knight, 20, is on the verge of leaving Pride Park with cash-strapped Derby under huge pressure to raise funds to ensure they do not face yet another points deduction by the EFL.
Leeds, Burnley and Newcastle are said to be interested in the Republic of Ireland international, who’s valued at £8million by the Rams.
Versatile
Knight doesn’t just play in the centre of the midfield with the 20-year-old also able to play in a No 10 role and on either wing.
Marcelo Bielsa loves his players to be versatile and if if signs Knight this month, he’ll have someone who can fill multiple roles on top of the one he needs the most – a central midfielder.
Derby’s off-field woes are well-documented but their performances on the pitch lately have been nothing short of heroic.
Despite being deducted 21 points for their financial crisis, Derby moved off the bottom of the Championship table on Saturday and are now eight points away from safety having won four of their last five games.
Knight has been vital in that run while the midfielder has scored two goals and assisted two goals in his 19 Championship outings this term.
Last season, Derby manager Wayne Rooney was quoted by the Daily Mail [23 January, 2021] as saying that he can see a lot of himself in Knight, who he feels is a natural-born leader.
“I was a player who believed at 20 that I should be captain of Manchester United. I told Alex Ferguson that in the Champions League against Roma away, and I know Jason Knight is exactly the same,” said Rooney.
“He’s a manager’s dream. He gives everything. I said to him after the defeat to Rotherham: ‘Did you not play well because you had the armband on?’ That was his one bad game.
“But I’ve never questioned age. He’s the one, not just for the younger players in the dressing room but the older lads, who others can look at. He gives you energy, desire, runs non stop.
“I still want more from him quality-wise – in terms of crosses, shots, goals, assists – but in terms of what we are trying to build for this group of players he fully deserves it whether he’s 19 or whether he’s 30.
“To get the recognition and experience shows how highly we think of him.”
Based on Rooney’s quotes, Knight is perfect for Bielsa and spending £8million on a young up-and-comer like him wouldn’t be the worst decision.
Leeds simply need to add to their midfield this month and Knight would be a clever addition.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to “break the bank” to secure this major signing.