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...

Newcastle United are weighing up a surprise move for Crewe Alexandra striker Mikael Mandron, according to Football Insider.

Mandron impressed for Crewe as they defeated Peterborough United by two goals to nil at the weekend, with Steve Bruce pictured watching on in the stands.

The 26-year-old - who joined Crewe on a one-year deal from Gillingham in the summer - has scored three goals in 11 League One appearances this season, netting six goals in all competitions.

He's out of contract at the end of the season, though, meaning that he is free to discuss personal terms with other sides in January, and could be set to leave the Alexandra Stadium for free at the end of the season.

Here, we discuss this potentially bizarre transfer switch...

Chris Thorpe

This would be an extremely strange signing for the Magpies and I for one do not believe a word of it.

Mandron, to his credit, has carved out a decent career for himself in the lower levels of the English football pyramid, however a move to the Premier League seems a bit far fetched for a player who is only just finding his feet in the Football League.

With the likes of Callum Wilson and Joelinton on his books, Steve Bruce certainly has enough firepower at his disposal to refrain from dipping into the winter market come January.

For that reason, I don't see this rumour becoming a reality anytime soon and fully expect to see Mandron staying with the Railwaymen for the foreseeable future.

Ned Holmes

I can't pretend I'm not hugely surprised by this one.

Yes, Mandron has made a good start to the season and has a decent goalscoring record, and Newcastle do look as though they could use with some reinforcements up top.

But I don't think the 26-year-old has proven that he deserves a chance in the top flight and I'm not convinced he's good enough.

I'd love to be proven wrong but it's hard to see this going much further, to be honest.

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Jacob Potter

This is bizarre to say the least.

Mandron has been impressive for Crewe this season in League One, but I'm really not sure he's ready to make the step up to the Premier League with Newcastle United anytime soon.

It's a big step up to the Championship, let alone the top-flight, so I would see no point in the Magpies pursuing a move for the 26-year-old.

Steve Bruce already has better options available to him in attack, and there is no way that Mandron would be getting in their starting XI this season.

I was stunned to see the original link, and if this happened, it would surely be one of the most bizarre transfers in recent seasons.