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...

The transfer window may have finally closed until the New Year, but that has not stopped Burnley manager Sean Dyche looking to prepare to make a £9m bid for Middlesbrough defender Nathan Wood, having had a bid turned down this summer, according to a report in The Sun.

The 17-year-old has played for England U18's and became Boro's youngest ever player when he made an appearance in the EFL Cup last season, while this season he has appeared in the Carabao Cup and also featured for Boro in their Premier League 2 campaign.

So would Wood be a shrewd signing for the Clarets?

We discuss....

Ned Holmes

“This is an interesting one but it is a lot of money to spend on an unproven 17-year-old.

“£9 million is a lot of money to spend on a player who has made just four appearances at senior professional level but he looks to be a defender with a lot of potential.

“Wood looks an exciting young talent and has also been linked with Tottenham and Arsenal so it may be a bit of a coup if Burnley can win the race for him in January.

“The player may look at the impact Dyche has had on defenders like Michael Keane and James Tarkowski and believe Turf Moor is the better place for him right now.”

Jacob Potter

"He’s clearly got something about him.

"Wood hasn’t made a league appearance for Boro yet, but if he’s attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Spurs as well, then he’s a player with real potential by the looks of it.

"With a reported fee in the region go £9m being quoted, Burnley are keen to sign him up at the earliest of opportunities, so that the other teams interested can’t beat them to his signature.

"He’s still only 17 though, which immediately makes this signing a risky one, as he might not fulfil that potential that he has at this moment in time.

"But if he settles down to life at Turf Moor, then it could prove to be an excellent addition to their side, as they look to the their future in the Premier League."

Toby Wilding

"I think this could be a smart move for Burnley to make.

"Obviously at 17-years-old, Wood is not going to be getting thrust into their Premier League lineup as soon as he arrives at Turf Moor, and Burnley will of course not need him to do that.

"But with Wood already forcing his way into the 'Boro matchday squad, and a number of other Premier League sides also linked with the defender, it is clear that there is plenty of potential for Burnley to exploit here.

"You feel therefore they should move to complete this deal as soon as they possibly can, in order to avoid loosing out on his signature to a Premier League rival."