Middlesbrough and Wrexham enter the race to sign a Rangers player.

Middlesbrough suddenly have an opportunity to redeem their season after their place in the Championship play-off final against Hull City was officially confirmed following Southampton’s dramatic expulsion from the competition.

The Teesside club had originally been knocked out of the play-offs after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Southampton in the semi-finals.

However, the Championship landscape changed completely after Southampton were found guilty of spying on opposition teams by an independent disciplinary commission.

The Saints admitted to illegally observing training sessions involving Middlesbrough, as well as incidents concerning Ipswich Town F.C. and Oxford United F.C. during the season.

As punishment, Southampton were expelled from the play-offs and handed a four-point deduction for next season.

That ruling paved the way for Middlesbrough to return to the promotion race despite their on-field defeat at St Mary’s Stadium.

It has been an extraordinary and emotional period for Middlesbrough supporters, who spent the last 24 hours anxiously awaiting confirmation of Southampton’s punishment and the implications it would have for their own club.

Boro were the side who initially alleged that Southampton had spied on their preparations ahead of the play-off semi-final first leg.

Those accusations were ultimately proven correct by the disciplinary panel, leaving Middlesbrough with an unexpected ticket to Wembley Stadium for the richest game in football outside the Premier League.

For head coach Kim Hellberg, the ruling will feel like vindication after a deeply frustrating end to the season.

The Swedish manager now has only a matter of days to prepare his squad for what could become one of the biggest matches of many of their careers.

At the same time, planning for the summer transfer window remains temporarily on hold while Middlesbrough focus entirely on securing promotion.

Promotion could completely transform Middlesbrough’s transfer ambitions

The outcome of Saturday’s final against Hull City could dramatically shape Middlesbrough’s transfer strategy this summer.

Victory at Wembley would secure Premier League football and reportedly bring an estimated £200 million financial boost to the Riverside Stadium.

Such a financial windfall would significantly increase Middlesbrough’s spending power and alter the calibre of players they could realistically target.

Even with promotion uncertainty still hanging over the club, Middlesbrough are already being linked with potential summer signings.

One name attracting particular attention is Findlay Curtis, the highly-rated young winger currently contracted to Rangers F.C..

According to reports from TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough have identified Curtis as a possible target ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, they are far from alone in the race for the talented teenager’s signature.

Wrexham A.F.C. are also reportedly interested in signing the Rangers youngster, while clubs from Europe are monitoring his situation closely.

Middlesbrough searching for more attacking quality

Middlesbrough already possess some of the strongest attacking options in the Championship.

Players such as Tommy Conway, Morgan Whittaker and David Strelec provide Boro with significant attacking threat in the final third.

In addition, the squad also includes creative and versatile options like Sontje Hansen, Kaly Sene and Leo Castledine.

Despite already possessing attacking depth, Hellberg is reportedly keen to strengthen further if promotion is secured.

The Middlesbrough manager has repeatedly emphasised his preference for patient, possession-based football focused on creating high-quality chances.

Under Hellberg, Middlesbrough have often dominated matches by carefully working the ball into dangerous areas rather than relying on direct attacking play.

Although that approach has not always produced positive results, it has frequently allowed Boro to control games and create numerous opportunities.

Additional attacking reinforcements could therefore become a priority during the summer, particularly if Middlesbrough return to the Premier League.

Curtis is viewed as a player who could fit naturally into that style of football because of his technical ability, attacking movement and versatility in wide areas.

Findlay Curtis attracting growing interest

Curtis, still only 19 years old, has already emerged as one of the most exciting young attacking prospects in Scottish football.

During the first half of the season, he remained on the fringes of Rangers’ first-team squad.

Although he received occasional opportunities and appearances, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Ibrox.

In search of consistent game time, Curtis later joined Kilmarnock F.C. on loan for the second half of the campaign.

The move proved highly beneficial for the young winger.

Curtis made 14 appearances in all competitions during his spell at Kilmarnock, scoring five goals and contributing one assist.

His performances quickly began attracting attention from clubs across Britain and Europe.

Middlesbrough and Wrexham are among the clubs now monitoring his development closely.

The winger’s attacking output, confidence on the ball and ability to influence matches at such a young age have reportedly impressed scouts from several teams.

Curtis has also earned recognition at international level.

The teenager already has one senior appearance for Scotland national football team and is expected to join Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup.

That tournament could provide Curtis with an even bigger platform to showcase his ability.

European clubs also entering the race

Middlesbrough and Wrexham are not the only clubs pursuing Curtis ahead of the transfer window.

Italian sides Bologna FC 1909 and Udinese Calcio are also reportedly interested in the Rangers winger.

Both Serie A clubs have enjoyed success recruiting talent from Scotland in recent years.

Players such as Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey and Lennon Miller have all made successful moves from Scottish football to Italy.

Because of those successful transfers, Italian clubs have become increasingly willing to scout and recruit young Scottish talent.

Curtis is now viewed as another player with the potential to make that transition successfully.

The growing competition for his signature means Middlesbrough and Wrexham may need to act quickly if they hope to secure a deal.

A strong World Cup performance with Scotland would almost certainly increase Curtis’ market value and attract additional interest from other clubs.

That possibility could force interested teams to accelerate negotiations before the tournament begins.

Rangers unlikely to sell cheaply

Although Rangers may eventually consider offers for Curtis, the Scottish giants are reportedly under no pressure to sell the youngster quickly.

The winger remains highly regarded within the club and is viewed as a player with significant long-term potential.

As a result, any club attempting to sign him this summer is unlikely to secure a bargain deal.

The exact valuation Rangers would place on Curtis remains unclear, but interest from England and Europe could easily drive up his price.

For Middlesbrough, the outcome of the play-off final may therefore prove crucial.

Promotion to the Premier League would immediately provide Boro with the financial strength to compete more aggressively for players like Curtis.

Without promotion, Middlesbrough may struggle to compete financially with Premier League sides or ambitious European clubs.

Could Middlesbrough be a better fit than Wrexham A.F.C.?

If Middlesbrough do secure promotion this weekend, they may become favourites in the race for Curtis.

Premier League football would undoubtedly strengthen their appeal significantly compared to Wrexham.

A move to the Riverside Stadium would potentially offer Curtis immediate exposure to top-flight English football and the opportunity to develop under Hellberg’s attacking system.

By contrast, questions remain over how Curtis would fit into Wrexham’s tactical approach under Phil Parkinson.

Wrexham typically operate without traditional wingers, instead favouring a system built around narrow attacking play and wing-backs.

That tactical setup could make it harder to identify Curtis’ ideal role within the team.

Middlesbrough’s style may therefore represent a more natural fit for the Rangers youngster.

For now, however, all transfer planning on Teesside remains secondary to the enormous challenge awaiting Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium.

One victory against Hull City could completely reshape the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.

Regardless of the outcome, Curtis appears certain to remain one of the most sought-after young talents of the summer transfer window.

With Middlesbrough, Wrexham and several European clubs all monitoring his progress, the Rangers winger could soon find himself heading south of the border in search of the next stage of his career.