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...

Sunderland are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Middlesbrough's Hayden Coulson, according to Teesside Live. 

Coulson has been with the Championship side since 2012, and has gone on to make 49 appearances in all competitions for the Boro first-team.

But it remains to be seen as to whether he'll feature as a regular member of Neil Warnock's senior side this season, with the new league campaign set to get underway in under a month's time.

Ipswich Town are also believed to be keen on a deal to sign Coulson, with a potential swap deal being potentially discussed.

Sunderland will be looking to beat the Tractor Boys in the race to sign Coulson though, as Lee Johnson's men prepare for another season in the third tier of English football.

The Black Cats finished fourth in the League One table last term, but missed out on promotion back into the Championship, after being beaten by Lincoln City in their play-off semi-final.

We ask our Football League World writers what they make of Sunderland's rumoured interest in signing Coulson this summer, and whether or not he'd be a good addition to Lee Johnson's squad.

Alfie Burns: 

It could be a decent deal for Sunderland to get done this summer.

Coulson is a player that impressed me under Jonathan Woodgate, but he’s just not quite had the rub of the green under Neil Warnock.

That’s not down to his ability, though, with Coulson an energetic figure that can get up and down the left, featuring as either a marauding full-back or steady winger.

Lee Johnson, I’m sure, will give him opportunities to play regular football, whilst also nurturing the talent that he possesses.

An added bonus is the fact that a move to the Stadium of Light isn’t going to disrupt too much for Coulson in terms of moving. It’s not like he’s moving to the other side of the country, which is sometimes difficult for a younger player.

Stepping down a division, to another local club, with a good manager, it does tick a lot of boxes for Coulson as he looks to get back to his best.

Chris Thorpe: 

I think they should go in for Coulson because they need a sturdy option at left back that is also reliable.

Add to the fact that he is only just down the road at Middlesbrough and I think the player himself would be attracted by a move to Sunderland.

Denver Hume’s future is yet to be decided, so I think the Black Cats certainly need a ready made replacement lined up.

Coulson has taken a while to come through with Boro and may well be tempted by a move to an arguably more ambitious outfit.

If Sunderland can pull this off it’ll be some coup for a club of their level.

George Dagless:

I think he could be.

He's a decent player with good potential and plenty more still to improve upon so he just needs to be in an environment where he is going to get those all important minutes for his development.

Indeed, he's at an age now where he will naturally want to be at a club that is going to let him play regularly and if Sunderland are offering that more than Middlesbrough I would think he's going to be tempted by it.

It's in an area of the country he'll already be familiar with, it's a huge club with massive expectation for the coming season and Lee Johnson regularly gives youth a chance, so I think it's a good deal for him to go for and for the club to complete.