DERBY COUNTY Paul Warne has admitted he'd like to keep Ireland's Jason Knight at the club despite the speculation around his future.
Knight shone in the 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley on Monday and has courted a number of suitors in football for his performances at the midlands club.
The 21-year-old's contract will end in the summer, so a fee in the winter window could become a possibility this month.
However the possibility of letting one of their best players go on a free for no money is not something the club would like to do.
Warne rates the Dubliner highly and would like to retain his services for a longer period and admitted that his players are not for sale.
The club also has a choice to extend Knight's contract for another year if they wish to do so.
He said: “If I sell Jason Knight or anybody, I can't spend it," said Warne to reporters this week.
“If I was a banker then that's what I'd do (keep cash in the bank) but being a football manager I'd rather win games.
"We have an option on him that we will obviously take"
Derby County intend to take up an option to extend Jason Knight's deal, with Rams boss Paul Warne insisting the midfielder is not for sale.
Full article 👇#DCFC— BBC Sport Derby (@BBCDerbySport) January 3, 2023
“I won't invest in some hotel in Dubai or something.
“None of the players are for sale. It's about trying to keep the group together and try to improve it.
“Knighty is up in the summer but we have an option on him which we will obviously take.
“That's out the window and it gives us a chance to try to convince him to stay if his performances permit that.
“If they are not good enough then I will always listen to offers for any of our players.
“But it's about trying to keep this group together, trying to keep them fit and trying to help them. If we can get two or three bodies in and make the starting 11 stronger, then great.
Knight is a number of Irish internationals at the club, which included the likes of Conor Hourihane, David McGoldrick, Eiran Cashin and James Collins.
Knight signed for Derby in 2017 and has scored 11 goals in 130 appereances for the club.
Derby and Knight play Barnsley at home on Sunday in the FA Cup.
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