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 weighing up a summer move for Flynn Downes, according to reports from Football Insider.

The Teessiders are among a list of clubs chasing the signature of the Ipswich Town man alongside Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Stoke City.

Downes has really kicked on at Portman Road and established himself as one of the club's most talented players leading to interest from the Championship.

Neil Warnock is keen to bolster his midfield options but would this signing be a good deal for the club?

The team at FLW have their say...

Alfie Burns

There’s little doubting Downes’ ability and the fact that he can step back up into the Championship.

Also, at 22, there’s a lot of room for the midfielder to grow in the right environment. There’s still time for Neil Warnock to shape him into the player he wants, alongside having an immediate impact.

I do wonder whether it’s the type of here and now signing that Middlesbrough need, though.

When I look at some of the other midfielders Boro have been linked with, they get me on the edge of my seat. Links like Dylan Bahamboula could be really exciting for 2021/22.

That isn’t to say that Downes wouldn’t be a good addition, because there’s every chance he could be. It’s just not the type of deal I think Boro should be prioritising.

George Harbey

I never know what to make of Downes to be honest.

Here we have a 22-year-old midfielder who has almost gone off the boil in recent seasons. He failed to stand out in League One last season due to injury, but has never really set the world alight.

But he still has plenty of potential, and the fact Crystal Palace had £1.6m bids rejected last summer suggests he can be a top talent and Ipswich valued him highly before now.

Neil Warnock is keen to bolster his midfield options, it seems, with Luton’s Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu also on the club’s radar.

Downes is a classy operator and very different to Mpanzu, though. He’s tidy on the ball and can make things tick in the middle of the park, and with plenty of athleticism around him, he could thrive at the Riverside.

Billy Mulley

There is no doubting whether Flynn Downes deserves a move to the Championship. Despite suffering from a knee injury early on in the campaign, he has recovered and has since returned to being one of the best players in the division. He was denied a move to the Premier League last season and he still has the potential to work his way into the top-tier in the future. Middlesbrough will be impacted by George Saville's return to Millwall and he will leave some sort of void. However, Downes could be that answer. His technical ability and industrious nature make him a manager's dream and he is someone, who when up to speed, could play a vital role in helping Boro push for the top six. He would be a brilliant option for The Teasiders to bring in, however, they will need to give it their best shot with the amount of options he is likely to have.