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

AFC Bournemouth are now leading the race to sign Ipswich Town midfielder Flynn Downes, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.

Downes, who is under contract at Portman Road for another two seasons, looks set to leave the club this summer amid interest from elsewhere.

Peterborough and Barnsley have been linked with the midfielder's signature, but it is now Bournemouth who are leading the race to sign the 22-year-old.

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, the Cherries have made their move for Downes, who is still under contract for another two years.

Here, we discuss this potential signing for Bournemouth...

Phil Spencer

I'm not entirely sure that this is the signing that Bournemouth need.

Flynn Downes is undoubtedly a top talent for Ipswich Town and it seems that he may be ready for life in the Championship.

However a move to The Cherries would be a big step up.

Scott Parker's side need to be recruiting players who can help them to challenge for automatic promotion and I'm not entirely sure that the midfielder is the man to do that.

I'd back him to move to the second tier but have doubts about his ability to become a first team player at the Vitality Stadium.

Adam Jones

With Flynn Downes being able to play both more advanced and more defensive like Philip Billing can in midfield, this could be a decent signing for the Cherries and a cheap replacement if it comes to it.

The Danish midfielder has been linked with a Premier League move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with Norwich City said to be interested, so it's important they prepare for a departure as big as his if he does make the move to Norfolk.

Jack Wilshere also left the club in the summer so regardless of whether the Dane stays or goes, they could do with another option in midfield to compete with the likes of Jefferson Lerma and Lewis Cook, with the former previously being linked with a move to Everton.

But now Rafa Benitez has taken charge ahead of former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, this interest looks to have disintegrated.

There's no reason why another side won't swoop in for him though, so this is a signing to be completed, especially with Ipswich manager Paul Cook willing to let him go and a cheaper deal therefore likely to be negotiated.

Billy Mulley

Flynn Downes is a classy operator and is an exceptional talent with the ball at his feet. He was denied a move from the Premier League last year and he has to work past a nasty injury, making it a difficult season for him on paper.

But, when he fully recovered, he has been a standout performer in the middle park for Ipswich and is deserving of the amount of Championship interest he is attracting.

Bournemouth are yet to fully kick into gear this summer, apart from the signing of Emiliano Marcondes, but signing Downes would show intent as they push for promotion once more.

The 22-year-old is someone who suits Bournemouth's slick style of play and has the technical ability to shine in the Championship for what would be his second bite of the cherry.

They will face competition for him, but this is a signing that Bournemouth should go above and beyond to secure.