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...

Everton are among a host of sides interested in signing Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence, according to TEAMtalk.

Spence was introduced to the first-team by Jonathan Woodgate last term, and has since become a key player for Boro since joining from Fulham.

The 20-year-old - who still has another three years left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium - has made eight appearances for Neil Warnock's side this term.

A host of Premier League sides are now said to be interested in signing Spence, though, with Everton, Wolves, Crystal Palace and Newcastle being linked, as per TEAMtalk.

Here, we discuss Everton's interest in the player...

George Dagless

A bit early to say.

Spence is a good young footballer with plenty of room to grow but whether he is going to be a star in the Premier League remains to be seen.

I certainly think there is a chance for that but I would suggest he needs to stay with Boro and keep learning under Neil Warnock past this season at least instead of moving at the first opportunity.

There are plenty of good players that have moved too soon and he needs to be wary of that, and I think Warnock will ensure that the defender makes the right call.

A good player, though, that with the right mentoring could go really far.

Jake Sanders

Spence is still relatively inexperienced at Championship level, let alone in the Premier League, but given the amount of money that Everton have previously wasted on defensive players, this would represent a smart signing.

The full-back, who can play on both sides, still has just under three-years remaining on his Boro contract, so would cost Everton a fair bit, but would appear a long-term investment given Spence doesn't turn 21 until next August.

Everton don't sound like the only topflight side interested in his signature, so the Toffees need to move fast in January, or risk the chance of missing out.

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George Harbey

This could be a good move for the long-term future.

Spence is already an excellent player who is taking the Championship by storm under Neil Warnock, and his game has really improved over the past year.

He's good in defence, but going forward, he has all the hallmarks of a modern day full-back. He is quick, strong, powerful, and can also get forward and create chances for his teammates.

I don't think he would be a regular starter for Everton at the moment, though, so I don't think that he should make the move to Goodison Park just yet given that first-team opportunities aren't guaranteed.

I don't think he should move yet. He should stay and develop under Warnock.