Jason Knight is dreaming of the Premier League as top flight clubs run the rule over the Ireland star.
Leeds, Newcastle, Everton and recently relegated Burnley have all been linked with the versatile midfielder.
And although he has a year left to run on his Derby County deal, he looks set to leave this summer after their relegation to League One.
Knight is adamant he could handle the pressure of playing in the top flight and said: “Whenever I step out there I always mix it with anyone.
“If that offer comes in, it's something you have always dreamt of, playing in the Premier League and at the highest level.
“At the moment I’m still a Derby player. Everyone knows it’s been a tough year with things behind the scenes at Derby.
“I’ve played a lot of games so I was happy with that aspect but what the future holds I don’t know. I’ll see what happens.”
Knight, 21, knows that he needs to make the right choice this summer if he is to drive home his international ambitions.
Capped 11 times by Stephen Kenny, the versatile midfielder has been an important player for Ireland when fit.
But having seen Jamie McGrath lose his place in the Ireland squad after a lack of games following his move to Wigan, Knight knows he must get it right.
The Dubliner said: “It’s a really competitive squad we’ve got now and you need to be playing football at the highest level you can.
“That’s for me and the manager to talk about but, for the moment, I’m still at Derby. I love the city and the club and I’ve been there a while.
“You need to look after yourself as well. It's a difficult situation but it's something I’ll think about. I have to see what's best for me, what's going to help develop me.”
Meanwhile, Knight insists he will never forget the role Derby boss Wayne Rooney has played in his career, even if they go their separate ways this summer.
Derby County launched a valiant effort to stay afloat in the Championship considering the strife behind the scenes having gone into administration in September.
But the 21-point deduction they played under was a ball and chain around the ankle and eventually dragged them down to League One.
Unable to sign players, Rooney had no choice but to give youth its fling and players like Ireland ace Knight flourished along with Festy Ebosele, who Derby had to sell.
Ebosele, 19, has landed a move to Italian side Udinese as a result, where he will join up with former St Pat’s defender James Abankwah.
Wexford lad Ebosele is here in Yerevan with Knight and the rest of the Ireland squad having earned a first senior call-up ahead of Saturday’s clash with Armenia.
It is a disservice to Knight to suggest this was some sort of breakthrough season, because it wasn't. He captained Derby at stages last year.
But Knight feels he owes Rooney a debt of gratitude.
“Throughout the season we always have regular chats and conversations, about how I can improve and stuff like that,” said Knight of his relationship with the former striker.
“We both know I did well, but I could have done better in a lot of aspects. I could have scored more goals (he bagged two in the season) and more assists.
“That's something I need to do, to get that tally up. That's what we are working at, not only at the club but here with Ireland as well.
“It's not someone else's responsibility to show me that - it's something I can improve.”
But Rooney helped Knight tap into an inner belief that he can play at a higher level and on the international stage.
And asked what one quality he rates about Rooney’s management style, Knight said: “His grit and determination.
“With the situation that has gone on at Derby, he has been a real calm head in a really tough situation.
“He showed a lot of calm in tough moments and that was reflected in the squad and some performances. He showed good character this year.”
Sizing up Derby’s season, Knight continued: “It’s been difficult, I think more so for the fans and the people around the city, it’s been really difficult.
“For us as players all we could focus on was the playing aspect of it and the people higher up needed to sort that out.
“Everyone knew it would be difficult but we’ve come together as a group of players, as staff and as a club.
“I know it didn’t end up the way we wanted it to but there’s always positives and I’m looking forward."
Right now, his attention is on Ireland’s four Nations League games against Armenia, Ukraine (twice) and Scotland before ironing out his club future on his return.
When fit, Knight has proved his worth to Kenny’s cause and, capped 11 times, the impact he made off the bench in November had fans purring.
He turned the game on its head and played a starring role in that 3-0 win, finishing off a disappointing World Cup campaign on a high.
“I had a good impact in that game but that’s something I need to continue doing in this (Nations League) campaign,” he said.
“I need to get into the team first and foremost. I know a four-game window is not really heard of but we’ve got a big squad now and everyone can play their part.
“I need to take my chance when it comes and hopefully I can do that.”
