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...

Stoke City manager Nathan Jones is looking to strengthen his squad with Sheffield United full-back George Baldock a target according The Sun, though the Potters face competition from Celtic for the 26-year-old's signature.

Baldock was part of the Blades promotion side, making 28 appearances in all competitions in his second season at Bramall Lane, since arriving from Milton Keynes Dons in June 2017.

So would Baldock prove a good signing for the Potters?

We discuss........

Gary Hutchinson

“It’s a surprising signing, I wouldn’t have seen Baldock as the sort of player Stoke would go for; having earned promotion his price will be higher than it might have been a year ago.

“He would be a good signing though, he’s earned promotion with the Blades and understands what it takes to be a success in the Championship. Not only that, but he’s a good age too: 26-years-old and still with lots of good years left in him.

“He might find himself on the fringes at Bramall Lane even more this season and taking everything into account, he’d be a great capture for Stoke.

“He’s not a ‘fashionable’ name as such, but Stoke made their previous success on being workmanlike and a tight group of committed players. Baldock did exactly the same with the Blades.”

Toby Wilding

"I think this could be a good signing for Stoke.

"The Potters are moving quickly in the summer transfer market, but right back is a position they have yet to get covered, and Baldock feels like a good option to take that role.

"Having won promotion from the Championship with the Blades last season, Baldock has just the sort of experience that Stoke are likely to be looking for as they aim to improve on that underwhelming return to the second tier last season.

"With Baldock's contract out of summer in 12 months time as well, you wonder whether Sheffield United could be tempted to part company with him for a smaller fee than may otherwise have been the case, in order to avoid loosing him for nothing this time next year."

Alfie Burns

“This could prove to be excellent business for the Potters to conduct at this stage of the summer.

“The 26-year-old was a key part of things at Bramall Lane last season, and although he wasn’t involved in too many goals, he offered attacking balance down the right.

“Jones is known for his 4-4-2 diamond, which obviously narrows the attack, so forward-thinking full-backs are key.

“Baldock fits that category and would be some coup for Jones.”