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Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on Sheffield United's interest in Harvey Knibbs

Don Goodman believes that Ruben Selles will know if Harvey Knibbs is ready for the step up to the Championship amid Sheffield United’s interest in the Reading player.

According to RDG Today, the Blades are among the clubs eyeing a move for the 26-year-old.

Knibbs previously worked with the new manager at Bramall Lane during his time in charge of the Royals.

The forward has contributed 25 goals and 12 assists in 86 league appearances for Reading across the last two seasons.

Don Goodman makes Harvey Knibbs transfer claim

Goodman believes that this could be an attractive move for both Sheffield United and Knibbs, giving him the chance to step up to the second tier.

The Sky Sports pundit has claimed that no one is a better judge of the player’s potential for Championship football than Selles given their time working together.

“I can see that being an attractive proposition for both parties, Sheffield United and Harvey Knibbs,” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“I think in Ruben Selles’ case, he obviously had a short spell managing Southampton in the Premier League, he then dropped down to League One with Reading, which is where he came across Harvey Knibbs, and then he did the last few months in the Championship with Hull City.

“So I think he’d be pretty qualified to have the ability to recognise whether a player can step up or not.

“Harvey did okay at Cambridge, but he’s really, really come on in the last two seasons at Reading.

“He scored 16 goals in both seasons, which is an excellent return, so you’d have to back Selles’ judgement that he can make that step up.

“He’s just come into the prime of his career.”

Sheffield United’s league season will get underway on 9 August with a home clash against Bristol City.

Knibbs to Sheffield United could be questionable

Knibbs has performed well at a League One level the last couple of seasons, and could be ready for a step up to the Championship.

He does also know Selles, and that pre-existing relationship should help him transition to Bramall Lane rather smoothly, if a deal does go through.

However, it’s unclear if he could be capable of breaking into the Spaniard’s first team plans as a key player given the options at their disposal.

Sheffield United will be pushing for promotion to the Premier League, and have plenty of top Championship talent in the squad already, so it could be difficult for Knibbs to play regularly.