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…

Middlesbrough are battling Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday for free agent striker Armand Gnanduillet, according to a report from Football Insider.

The 28-year-old has a good goalscoring record in the EFL and having left Turkish side Altay SK in December, he appears to have caught the attention of a string of Championship side – including Boro.

But would he be a good signing for the North East club? And do they need him?

Our FLW writers share their thoughts...

Alfie Burns

Boro definitely need a little bit of extra depth in their attack I’d say.

Gnanduillet is a player that I’ve liked previously a little bit lower down the EFL pyramid, so it would be good to see what he could do in the Championship.

Obviously, a positive aspect of this signing is that there wouldn’t be huge pressure on the striker at the Riverside Stadium. Other strikers would take the leading role on, with Gnanduillet able to ease his way in and just do what he can.

It does represent a fairly low risk signing for Boro.

George Harbey

I like the look of this signing.

It seems if Neil Warnock is looking to add more of a physical presence to his attacking line, with Famara Diedhiou also being linked with a move to the Riverside.

Gnanduillet did really well for Blackpool in League One last season. 18 goals in all competitions is a good record, and I was surprised he didn’t move up to the Championship instead of going to Turkey to be honest.

He’s good in the air, he’s quick and strong, and can also hold the ball up and bring others into play. That makes him a potentially exciting option for Boro, especially on a free transfer.

Can you name each of these 17 ex-Middlesbrough players just by looking at these 3 clues?

 

Ben Wignall

With Boro lacking a physical player at the top end of the pitch, Gnanduillet would be a solid signing.

He’s not exactly slow for a big man and with Marcus Tavernier and Duncan Watmore playing off him, the former Blackpool striker could prove himself to be a massive handful for Championship defences.

Britt Assombalonga and Chuba Akpom have hardly been prolific this season, and going off past Neil Warnock teams, he does like his striking option to put himself about.

Whilst Gnanduillet hasn’t been prolific throughout his whole career, his record last season at Bloomfield Road suggests that he could be a late developer – and one worth taking a chance on for Boro.