Rangers star confirms Ibrox exit - West Brom, Middlesbrough and Millwall plot move | OneFootball

Leon King is attracting a lot of transfer interest ahead of the summer market opening

Millwall and Middlesbrough both suffered play-off disappointment after a strong Championship campaign.

The Lions faced Hull City in their semi-final, but came undone thanks to goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt to give Sergej Jakirovic’s side a 2-0 win on aggregate.

Meanwhile, Boro lost 2-1 to Southampton at St. Mary’s after extra time to suffer promotion heartbreak again after they earned a top six finish as recently as 2023.

However, the Teesside outfit have the outside chance of being reinstated into the play-offs following a spying controversy involving the Saints.

It remains to be seen what the outcome will be of their hearing with the EFL, but one outcome involves Kim Hellberg’s team being put back into the competition in their place.

Regardless, planning for the summer transfer window at both clubs will be underway, as they target moves that could improve their first team squads.

Millwall and Middlesbrough receive Leon King transfer boost

Millwall and Middlesbrough are among a number of clubs who have been linked with the signing of Leon King from Rangers this summer.

It has been reported by journalist Anthony Joseph that the 22-year-old will be departing Ibrox following the expiration of his contract next month.

It’s believed that the Glasgow outfit did not offer the defender a new deal, which will open the door to a possible move to the Championship.

However, the centre-back also reportedly has interest from Hearts, who narrowly missed out on ending the 41-year dominance of the Old Firm in Scotland last weekend.

The Edinburgh outfit lost 3-1 to Celtic on the final day of the campaign, which saw them drop to second in the Premiership table.

King spent the campaign on loan with Ayr United, where he made 27 league appearances to help the club come seventh in the Scottish Championship table.

But he could move south of the border this summer, with a number of English Championship sides chasing his signature, including Millwall and Middlesbrough.

It’s been claimed that Watford are among the sides keen on the 22-year-old following confirmation of his exit from Rangers.

West Brom and Portsmouth have also been mentioned as potential destinations, although it remains unclear what the player’s preference is at this stage.

Rangers will be owed a nominal fee despite his free agency due to King being under the age of 24, but it is likely to be a reasonably low figure.

Leon King signing could be a smart piece of business

King didn’t make it work at Rangers, but he showed some potential this season, and he will now be available at a relatively low cost.

That makes him an appealing option for any number of clubs as he can provide strength in depth at the back for next season.

The 22-year-old also has room to improve as a player as he gains more experience, so a move for Millwall or Boro could be quite a shrewd piece of business.

However, they will have to contend with Hearts, who could be a more appealing option as it will allow him to remain in Scotland and they can offer European football next season.