With the January transfer window set to open in just over four weeks' time, Ipswich Town have already been linked with a potential swoop for Northampton Town goalkeeper David Cornell.
According to Football Insider, the Tractor Boys are reportedly interested in the 28-year-old who is also thought to be on the radar of Preston North End and Middlesbrough.
With Cornell's contract at the PTS Academy Stadium set to expire next summer, January represents the last chance that Northampton will have to cash in on him.
Before Ipswich manager Paul Lambert makes a definitive decision on the shot-stopper, he must first weigh up the positives as well as the negatives that a move could have on the club's fortunes in League One.
Keeping this in mind, he have set out two pros and two cons to Ipswich beating Middlesbrough and Preston to Cornell's signature based on his recent career exploits.
Check them out below...
Pros
He has been excellent for Northampton this season
One of Northampton's stand-out performers this season, it could be argued that Cornell is currently playing the best football of his career under the guidance of Keith Curle.
A mainstay in the Cobblers' starting eleven, the shot-stopper has conceded just 17 goals in League Two whilst also keeping seven clean-sheets.
Providing that he can replicate this form at Portman Road, Cornell could potentially play a key role in helping Ipswich achieve automatic promotion to the Championship next May.
His arrival could force Tomas Holy to take his game to new heights
Since joining Ipswich in the summer on a free transfer, Tomas Holy has emerged as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
Extremely impressive during the opening months of the season, the 27-year-old will be determined to take his game to new heights in League One in the not too distant future.
However, in order to have the best chance of maximising his potential, Holy may benefit from some stiff competition from Cornell for the goalkeeping position at Ipswich.
Cons
He has struggled at League One level in the past
Following Adam Smith's departure from Northampton in 2017, Cornell was given a chance to prove himself as the club's first-choice keeper in League One.
Whilst the former Oldham Athletic man did manage to illustrate that he his a tremendous shot-stopper when on top-form, his lack of consistency ultimately played a role in the Cobblers' relegation last year.
With the jury still out on whether Cornell is good enough to play on a regular basis in the third-tier, Ipswich may find it beneficial to avoid taking a risk on him in January.
There is no guarantee that he would be an upgrade on their existing options
Given that Holy is currently thriving in between the sticks for the Tractor Boys, there is no guarantee that Cornell will be an upgrade on the Czech keeper.
Can you get 20 out of 20 on this Ipswich quiz? Have a go now!
Furthermore, when you factor in Will Norris' recent displays for Ipswich, it could be argued that Lambert would be wasting the club's money on Cornell.
Therefore, instead of focusing on the Welshman, the Tractor Boys should be looking at the possibility of bolstering their squad in other areas during the upcoming transfer window.