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

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing Blackpool forward Jerry Yates this summer, according to Football Insider.

Rovers are braced to lose Adam Armstrong, with Southampton and Norwich leading the race to sign the striker for £15million.

According to Football Insider, Blackburn have identified Blackpool's Jerry Yates as a replacement for Armstrong, and are lining up a move for the 24-year-old.

Yates scored 23 goals in all competitions for Blackpool last season, helping the Tangerines win promotion via the League One play-offs.

Here, we discuss whether Yates would be a good signing for Blackburn and whether he is good enough to replace Armstrong...

Toby Wilding

I do think this would be a very good replacement for Blackburn if they can manage to get it done.

Having scored at the rate he did last season, particularly in comparison to his Rovers teammates, it will be essential that Armstrong is replaced at Ewood Park if he does head to the Premier League this summer.

Yates' goal record for Blackpool last season suggests he can do that, and it is also worth noting that his all-round play helps bring his fellow attackers into the game, meaning this could also help Rovers get some return on their previous big money investments such as Ben Brereton and Sam Gallagher.

It also seems as though Yates would be a popular fans choice to replace Armstrong if the 24-year-old steps up to top-flight, so it would help keep supporters positive in the wake of Armstrong's potential departure if Blackburn complete this deal in such circumstances.

However, with Blackpool now playing at the same level as Blackburn next season, and with plenty of time remaining on the striker's contract a Bloomfield Road, this may not be an easy deal for Rovers to complete, even if they have a windfall from the sale of Armstrong to help fund their transfer business.

Ben Wignall

Whilst I don't think Yates is exactly a like-for-like replacement for Armstrong, Blackburn could certainly do a lot worse.

Let's face it, Rovers won't be able to get someone exactly the same as Armstrong because those players cost an absolute fortune, and let's not forget that the 24-year-old's first Championship season at Ewood Park only saw him score five times, so he was clearly a work in progress.

Yates could be seen as someone who has more development left in him as well - despite the two players being the same age Armstrong has played nearly 100 more senior games than the Blackpool striker, who is clearly a late bloomer.

Yates only really became prolific at Swindon Town in 2019-20 but with the right service and an added edge to his game in-front of goal, he scored 23 times in his debut season with Blackpool.

That goalscoring record is enough for anyone to take notice and even though Tony Mowbray may have to adjust his game to replace a speedster in Armstrong with a more clinical, penalty box player like Yates, I think that he has enough about him to be a credible enough replacement for the Premier League-bound striker - providing that he doesn't cost more than around £3 to 4 million.

Ned Holmes

Jerry Yates strikes me as an ideal Adam Armstrong replacement.

Losing Armstrong will be a big blow because he's been absolutely brilliant for them in recent seasons but if they can get a significant fee for him and sign Yates, I think they can come out of the situation positively.

Just like their current star striker, the Blackpool forward can score all types of goals and is more than capable of leading the line despite not being the most physical forward.

That should mean he can slot into Blackburn's team nicely.

Is Ewood Park the ideal place to go though? I'd question whether given the interest in him, he'll be keen on the move.