Reading FC face Harvey Knibbs transfer concern amid takeover backdrop | OneFootball

Knibbs is a player the Royals will surely be keen to keep, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to, with a sale yet to materialise.

Harvey Knibbs has continued to shine for Reading this season.

The 25-year-old joined the club on a free transfer from Cambridge United during the summer of 2023, making the move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium along with Sam Smith.

With Smith following Knibbs into the club, it always looked as though the latter was going to be a hit for the Royals, with the pair's relationship in mind.

But his time with the League One side didn't start on the best note, with the ex-Cambridge man beginning the 2023/24 campaign out wide in a 4-2-2-2 system.

Knibbs was even criticised by quite a few supporters on social media for his early performances, with the formation not suiting him and other first-teamers.

But when Ruben Selles switched to 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1, Knibbs was able to move into a central role, and has thrived ever since then.

Not only have his goals helped to make him a fan favourite, but also his energy in the middle of the pitch and his willingness to get back and help the team defensively.

Immersing himself into life in Berkshire, despite the turmoil that the Royals have endured during his time at the club, he is adored by fans and teammates.

However, the Royals may end up becoming the victims of their own success with Knibbs, with the player attracting interest from elsewhere during the current window.

Derby County and Oxford United keen on Harvey Knibbs

According to Darren Witcoop, Derby County and Oxford United are both interested in a move for the attacking midfielder, who has proved his worth in Berkshire.

The Rams could benefit from adding some extra firepower to their squad, and Knibbs, who has been extremely effective in the final third in League One, could be a useful player to have in their team.

Oxford, who are the Royals' rivals, could also benefit from extra attacking quality.

Mark Harris and Dane Scarlett can be decent options when fit, but the former has struggled at times this season and the latter hasn't been a goalscoring machine for the U's, though he has done well at the Kassam Stadium.

Ruben Rodrigues and Idris El-Mizouni can play in central attacking midfield roles, as well as Tyler Goodrham, but the latter is currently suspended and is probably more of an asset out wide.

Knibbs could potentially be interested in the possibility of moving to the Championship.

But he did appear against Burnley last weekend and his commitment to the Royals' cause hasn't wavered, to his credit.

If the Royals do end up selling him, they have a couple of options.

Tivonge Rushesha or Tyler Sackey could potentially come into central midfield alongside Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing, or the Royals could potentially switch to a 4-2-3-1 system, with Michael Craig starting alongside Wing, Savage being given more freedom to attack and Kelvin Abrefa starting at right-back after returning from injury.

But with Ben Elliott missing for a while, it could be really costly for the Berkshire outfit if they end up losing Knibbs.

They don't have enough squad depth as it is - and losing a goalscoring asset like Knibbs would be a massive blow.

A normally functioning club could probably sell him and bring in a replacement during the same window.

But with the Royals under a very strict embargo and current owner Dai Yongge still at the helm, they may not be able to recruit a replacement and the threat of administration is another reason why the Royals should be looking to keep Knibbs.

Even if Knibbs is sold, there are no guarantees that administration won't happen later in the season if his fee doesn't cover payroll for the rest of the term, so keeping someone like the 25-year-old who can win the club extra points could be crucial.