Exclusive: Don Goodman drops claim on potential Jason Knight exit fear at Bristol City | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Don Goodman has been discussing the possibility of Bristol City star Jason Knight departing the Robins this summer.

Bristol City midfielder and club captain Jason Knight has been one of the standout performers in the Robins' push for the play-offs this season.

The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international is perhaps one of the most underrated midfielders in the Championship, having played a starring role in the club's push for Premier League promotion.

However, he is only contracted at Ashton Gate until the summer of 2027, which is something that Bristol City will surely look to address in the near future, given his potential to become a cornerstone player for the future.

But, should Liam Manning's side miss out on promotion this term, and given how impressive he's been in the second tier since arriving from Derby County in the summer of 2023, he may well find himself being courted by clubs in the upcoming summer transfer window.

"He's been a standout" - Don Goodman makes Jason Knight, Bristol City transfer claim

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player, Don Goodman: 'Do you think Jason Knight could attract interest at Bristol City this summer, if the Robins don't go up?'

Goodman said: "I think Jason Knight has been brilliant, hasn't he?

"Bristol City have been really, really good, and he's been a standout for me. He's an all-rounder, I think.

"He's got the athleticism, he can carry the ball, he can tackle, he can run, he can pass. Three goals and five assists (correct as of 42 games played) is a pretty decent return for an all-round midfielder.

"So, it obviously is never a surprise when a team are doing well, when the players within that team are doing well, it's never a surprise that they might be linked with moves away to, with respect, 'so-called' bigger clubs."

Jason Knight is proving himself to be top Championship midfielder - that should spring Bristol City into contract action

The importance of tying down your best players is critical for a number of reasons.

It enables you to build a team around those individuals, it makes joining your team more of an attractive proposition to other players, and it strengthens your position in any potential transfer negotiation.

Since arriving at Ashton Gate, Knight has certainly been showing that he can mix it with the very best central midfielders in the Championship, and as such, he will surely be viewed as an attractive commodity by a host of clubs, certainly at second tier level, and perhaps even higher.

No club wishes to find themselves sitting in a weak contractual position regarding their talismanic players, and as such, the Robins must look to tie the Irishman down as a matter of urgency.

The longer Knight goes without signing a new contract, the more his potential transfer market value falls, and for a club like Bristol City, getting as big a paydays as possible on their star assets is essential to their self-sustainability.

So, when the time arrives to rank their summer priorities at the end of the season, a new contract for Knight should be near the top of the Robins' list.