QPR set to bid £200K for Livvy starlet Knox

QUEENS PARK RANGERS are poised to table a £200,000 bid for Livingston youngster Matthew Knox.

The 16-year-old forward spent last week on trial at Manchester United, having already trained with Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham. But Sportsmail understands the teenager — who became Livingston’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut in the Boxing Day clash at St Mirren — is on the verge of clinching a stunning switch to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Championship side.

It will net the struggling Almondvale club a welcome short-term financial boost, with the possibility of future income if add-ons in the deal kick in.

Knox would become the second Livingston player to move to Loftus Road in recent times.

Coll Donaldson joined the London club in 2014 only to return to Dundee United a year later.

Knox did not feature in his side’s 1-1 draw with Falkirk on Saturday — a result that left them two points adrift of safety — but last week manager David Hopkin spoke of the Scotland Under-17 cap in glowing terms.

‘There’s plenty of interest from English Premier League and Championship clubs and he’s had spells on trial at lots of clubs down south,’ said Hopkin.

‘As far as bids go, I’m not aware of anything formal but we have had lots of positive comments and interest from some big clubs.

‘He’s a young boy who has great potential. Knox has something special and something different.

‘For such big clubs to be interested in him — and continue to be interested after he’s been there for a week — shows that he’s got something about him.’