Former Derby County coach Kevin Phillips has warned Leeds United it would take silly money for them to prize away Louie Sibley from the Pride Park club, Football Insider report.
The Whites have shown an interest in Derby’s young prized asset.
Leeds United chief Victor Orta told the Yorkshire Live this past week how the Premier League side have shown an interest in Sibley and Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell.
It doesn’t really come as a surprise. Sibley, 18, burst onto the scene at the end of last season and posted five Championship goals and two assists in nine league starts.
Phillips knows him well from his time as a coach at Derby, and the former Sunderland man warns Leeds it would take silly money to sign him in the coming transfer windows.
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He played with my lad so I have watched loads of him. I am not surprised that he has developed into a top footballer. My advice would be for Louie Sibley to play and develop. If he has another good season in the Championship he would certainly get a move to a big, big club at the end of the season. I think it would take silly money. If Derby are serious about challenging from promotion then you cannot be losing Sibley.
Sibley, 18, is predominantly an attacking midfielder but he could potentially play as a wide forward too as he possesses quick feet and excellent dribbling ability.
Derby have benefited from the emergence of top talent from the academy. Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe were both sold to Sheffield United for a combined £10 million.
But many feel Jason Knight, Max Bird and in particular Sibley can reach even higher levels, with manager Phillip Cocu dubbing the latter a special and unique talent.
He’s quite a unique player. He’s one of us but also a unique character and personality. That’s what makes him a real special player within our team. He’s got a great future ahead of him. I’m sure we’ll enjoy many more games coming up in the style of Louie Sibley.
Derby have in the past sold their top talent for poor fees. Going back to Tom Huddlestone and later Will Hughes, the duo were sold for far less than their actual worth.
But it feels the Rams have made it clear how much they now value Sibley.
Leeds spent big money during the transfer window on the likes of Rodrigo, Raphinha and Diego Llorente, and it may take a similar fee to tempt Derby into selling Sibley.
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