Middlesbrough and Wrexham in race to seal Rangers transfer | OneFootball

Rangers winger Findlay Curtis is attracting attention from Championship duo Middlesbrough and Wrexham this summer

Middlesbrough have a shot of redemption, after their place in the play-off final against Hull City this weekend was confirmed last night following Southampton's exemption, as plans for the summer window on Teesside are firmly on pause.

It's been a whirlwind 24 hours for Middlesbrough supporters, who were eagerly awaiting the result of Southampton's penalty after the Saints were found guilty of spying by an independent hearing.

Indeed, it was Boro who claimed they had been spied on by Southampton, which has now been confirmed to be true. So, despite their 2-1 loss at St Mary's in the play-off semi-final, Boro have earned a ticket to Wembley in the sport's richest game.

Kim Hellberg will feel vindicated by the decision, as he has just a matter of days to prepare his squad for potentially the biggest game of some of their careers, before looking ahead to the summer window.

Saturday's result will determine just how ambitious they can be in the market, but they have seemingly already sounded out a potential target, nevertheless, and face competition from Wrexham for their signature.

Middlesbrough and Wrexham join European competition in pursuit of Rangers winger Findlay Curtis

Middlesbrough have some of the best attacking talent in the second tier, boasting the likes of Tommy Conway, Morgan Whittaker, and David Strelec up top, with Sontje Hansen, Kaly Sene, and Leo Castledine as other options.

Hellberg has emphasised his preference for his side to work the ball into the box, remaining patient and creating high-quality chances in abundance, which, whilst it hasn't always given them a favourable result, has seen them dominate more games than they haven't.

The Swedish boss will be keen to reinforce his attacking options this summer in the event of promotion, and alongside Wrexham, according to TEAMtalk, has identified Rangers winger Findlay Curtis as a potential option.

Curtis, 19, was on the periphery of the Rangers first team during the first half of the season, earning minutes here and there, but never really nailing down a place in the starting XI, and would head out on loan to Kilmarnock for the second half of the campaign.

The once-capped Scotland international made 14 appearances across all competitions on loan at Kilmarnock, scoring five and assisting one, with clubs in England and around Europe standing up and taking notice of his performances, including Boro and Wrexham.

Alongside the Championship duo, Italian sides Bologna and Udinese are also reportedly keen, having found success in the Scottish market over recent years, with each of Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey, and Lennon Miller making the move to Italy from north of the border.

Curtis will be linking up with Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the World Cup, where he will be hoping to make an impact and attract further clubs.

Middlesbrough and Wrexham should make a formal move for Curtis sooner rather than later, as an impressive World Cup will only ignite interest from elsewhere and drive up his price as a result.

How much Rangers would command for his services remains to be seen, but with interest in Curtis not exactly short, and Rangers in no rush to sell, he won't come cheap.

Kim Hellberg will be hoping to lure Findlay Curtis to Middlesbrough this summer over Wrexham

For now, Middlesbrough's transfer plans are on hold, with the club just one win away from a place in the Premier League.

Victory against Hull will see an influx of money in excess of £200 million heading Boro's way, where, at that point, the face of their summer window will completely change.

Curtis would almost certainly become affordable at that point, and you would imagine with Premier League football on offer, he would favour a move to the Riverside over North Wales.

With Wrexham also preferring a system without any recognised wingers, where Curtis would fit into Phil Parkinson's system is unclear.

Curtis will continue to attract interest this summer, and with Middlesbrough and Wrexham lurking, he could well be heading south of the border this summer.