This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Bristol City are one of four Championship sides in the running for 22-year-old midfielder Flynn Downs according to the Football Insider, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Ipswich Town manager Paul Cook this summer.

Cook, 54, is currently undertaking a huge rebuild at Portman Road after finishing in a disappointing ninth place last season and Downes is one of many victims of this ruthless cull by the Liverpudlian.

As part of this extreme transfer strategy, the 22-year-old has been made to train with the club's Under-23s until he finds a new club, with the midfielder unlikely to feature for the Tractors Boys again regardless of whether he's there beyond the summer or not.

 

 

Downes was previously subject of major interest from Premier League side Crystal Palace last and in an attempt to force an exit from the club, he handed in a transfer request. This move didn't go through, however, and he remained with the League One side for the entirety of last season before being expelled from the first-team squad.

Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and Middlesbrough are also said to be in the running for the 22-year-old according to the Football Insider exclusive.

Focusing on Bristol City more specifically though, would he be a good signing for Nigel Pearson's side? A person they need to push them on to greater things?

We asked three of our FLW writers these two questions. Let's see what they've had to say.

Phil Spencer

This could be a great move for Bristol City.

Flynn Downes is a really talented player who has already shown for Ipswich Town that he's a player with a very bright future ahead of him.

The 22-year-old was great for the Tractor Boys last term and the hope now will be that he can kick on and establish himself in the Premier League.

Nigel Pearson will be a good choice to help Downes to adapt to life in the second tier and so if he does opt to move to Ashton Gate I think that he'll become a household name before too long.

Alfie Burns

There’s a lot of work still to do at Ashton Gate this summer and Nigel Pearson will likely be casting his eye over a number of players.

Somebody like Downes could be a decent addition for the Robins.

He's still young at 22-years-old, so has the potential to grow into a really decent Championship player with the right guidance.

What Pearson has to make sure is that Bristol City can be the place for that to unfold for Downes.

A mass overhaul of players already this summer doesn’t create the most settled camp, with work to be done on making sure everyone that’s coming into the club is pulling in the same direction.

The wrong environment will hinder Downes rather than help him, which is what the Robins have to consider.

The hope would be that things would work out.

Chris Thorpe

I think any Championship club worth their salt would be looking to bring in a player with the potential of Downes.

He has racked up a high amount of games for Ipswich despite being 22 and appears ready to step up a league.

It's certainly a player that the Robins need and I think he would complement their other midfield options well.

He can play as either a deep-lying playmaker or as a box-to-box midfielder and I think that versatility makes him a favourable option for Pearson and co.

He will also come a lot cheaper than other targets in his position because he is now into the last year of his contract at Portman Road.