The Crows, desperate to hold onto the left-footer, have been in contact with Knights’ Melbourne-based management group throughout the season in a bid to keep the goalkicker at AAMI Stadium beyond this year.
Adelaide did put an offer to the 23-year-old’s management but player and club are yet to come to terms.
Several Melbourne-based clubs have also expressed an interest in Knights, who the Crows drafted from the Eastern Ranges with pick 28 in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft.
“Chris is working with Adelaide, but there’s still a way to go,” Knights’ manager, Peter Lenton, told afl.com.au.
Knights, who enjoyed a breakout 2009 when he booted 43 goals across half-forward, has endured a wretched run with injury this year, playing just five matches.
A hamstring injury against the Brisbane Lions last weekend ended his season.
On Thursday the Crows announced the re-signings of star pairing Scott Thompson and Richard Douglas.
That left Knights as the only high-profile Crow yet to commit for 2011.
Earlier this month, he told afl.com.au he was waiting for “the right time” to start negotiating a new contract, but added that he was very happy in Adelaide and aspired to be part of the club’s leadership group.
This week Crows football manager Phil Harper acknowledged his club still had a bridge to cross before locking in Knights.
“The Chris Knights one has always been a worry, but I spoke to his manager yesterday [Tuesday] and he wants to start talking,” Harper told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
“That’s always a good sign, but as I said it’s only starting to talk.”
