Gillingham are currently struggling for form under new head coach Stephen Clemence, with the man who replaced Neil Harris in the dugout after a month-long search not really settling in so far at the Priestfield Stadium.
Going into 2024, the Kent outfit will sit in 10th position in the League Two table, and Clemence has won just three of his eight league matches in charge so far, suffering home defeats to Bradford City and Crawley Town.
Since taking over at the Gills in December 2022, American businessman Brad Galinson has been pretty ambitious in the transfer window, but Clemence could end up losing one of his star players in the upcoming January window.
Gillingham midfielder Jefferies wanted by Hibernian
According to Football League World’s sources, Gills midfielder Dom Jefferies is attracting interest from other clubs thanks to his performances since his move to the Priestfield in June 2022.
The 21-year-old joined Gillingham from Brentford’s B team and played 34 times in League Two last season, and has added to that with 17 appearances so far in the 2023-24 campaign.
Per FLW’s sources, there are unnamed English clubs who are keen on the young midfielder, who has played all across the midfield for the Gills through the middle and on either flank in a 4-4-2, but there is also interest north of the border from Hibernian.
Hibs currently sit in sixth position in the Scottish Premiership table under manager Jack Ross, and they are said to be keen to sign Jefferies to add to their midfield options when the transfer window opens.
| Dom Jefferies’ Gillingham League Two Stats 2023-24 | ||
| Appearances | 17 | |
| Average Minutes Per Game | 80 | |
| Goals | 1 | |
| Assists | 0 | |
| Shots Per Game | 0.8 | |
| Touches Per Game | 43.8 | |
| Pass Accuracy | 85% | |
| Interceptions Per Game | 0.5 | |
| Tackles Per Game | 1.8 | |
| Successful Dribbles Per Game | 0.9 | |
| Duels Won Per Game | 3.8 | |
| Possession Lost Per Game | 8.8 | |
| Stats As Of December 30, 2023 – As Per Sofascore | ||
Jefferies’ contract situation at Gillingham could hand Hibs the advantage
And because Jefferies has a contract that expires in the summer of 2024, Hibernian do not need permission to approach Jefferies to speak about a pre-contract for the 2024-25 season onwards, although they would still have to pay cross-border compensation for his services.
Hibs though may attempt a cut-price deal for Jefferies for January instead, and Gillingham may have to let the youngster go should he want to make the move to a club that were playing in European competition earlier this season.
For clubs in England that want to sign Jefferies though, then they will have to put an offer in for his services as they cannot approach him on a pre-contract basis due to the rules that exist within the game in the country.
Gillingham will likely not want to lose Jefferies as since Clemence entered the dugout, he has started the midfielder in all but one league match when he has been fit and available, but the head coach may potentially not get a say in his player’s future.
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