Middlesbrough enter the competition with Rangers for the £7 million Leicester City star.

Middlesbrough have emerged as surprise contenders for Leicester City winger Stephy Mavididi, with Kim Hellberg’s side now joining Rangers in the battle to secure the 28-year-old before the transfer window closes.

Sources have exclusively told Football League World that Boro have registered their interest in Mavididi as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of another Championship promotion campaign.

However, Middlesbrough are not the only club monitoring the former Arsenal and Juventus attacker. A number of Championship rivals are understood to be keeping tabs on his situation, meaning Hellberg could face significant competition if the Teessiders decide to push ahead with a formal offer.

The latest development comes after journalist Mark Hendry reported last month that Rangers had held positive discussions with Leicester regarding a possible transfer for Mavididi.

That report claimed the Glasgow giants could be prepared to spend as much as £7 million to bring the winger to Scotland, although there remains uncertainty over whether Rangers will ultimately complete a deal.

Middlesbrough enter the Mavididi transfer race

Middlesbrough’s interest represents an unexpected twist in the winger’s transfer situation, particularly with the new 2026/27 Championship season now approaching.

The Teessiders have endured an extremely busy summer following their painful Championship play-off final defeat against Hull City at Wembley in May. Hellberg has been determined to strengthen his squad and ensure his side are better equipped to challenge for promotion this time around.

Several new arrivals have already made their way to the Riverside, but Boro remain keen to add further quality before the transfer deadline.

Mavididi could now become their latest target.

The Leicester winger is one of several players whose futures have been questioned following the Foxes’ relegation to League One. Despite that, he is currently preparing for what would be his fourth season at the King Power Stadium.

Middlesbrough have already completed seven additions this summer, and Mavididi could potentially become signing number eight if they manage to beat Rangers and their other competitors to his signature.

Mavididi’s Leicester career has taken a difficult turn

Mavididi arrived at Leicester from Montpellier in the summer of 2023 for a reported £6.4 million fee. His first campaign with the club proved extremely successful as he became an important part of Enzo Maresca’s side.

The winger played in every league match during Leicester’s promotion-winning campaign and contributed 12 goals and six assists from the left flank.

His performances helped Leicester secure an immediate return to the Premier League, but Mavididi has struggled to reproduce that level since then.

His reputation among Leicester supporters has fallen considerably after two disappointing campaigns.

The winger managed only four goals during Leicester’s unsuccessful Premier League season, before his fortunes deteriorated even further during the following campaign.

The Foxes suffered another relegation, dropping into League One after a disastrous season, and Mavididi finished with just three goals in 42 appearances.

That represents a significant decline from the player who had previously been one of Leicester’s most dangerous attacking outlets in the Championship.

Middlesbrough face a high-risk, high-reward decision

Mavididi’s recent form means any potential move to Middlesbrough would carry an element of risk.

His performances during the past two seasons provide legitimate reasons for concern, particularly given how dramatically his goalscoring output has fallen.

Nevertheless, there is still a strong argument that Mavididi could rediscover his best form if he returned to the Championship.

The winger has already demonstrated that he can be devastating at second-tier level when playing with confidence and consistency.

During Leicester’s promotion campaign, he was a constant threat from the left side and produced numbers that showed he could influence matches regularly.

That previous Championship experience could make him an attractive proposition for Boro.

If Hellberg can get Mavididi back to the level he demonstrated during Leicester’s promotion-winning season, Middlesbrough could potentially be adding one of the division’s most dangerous wide players.

At his best, he could represent a major improvement on Jeremy Sarmiento, who completed a permanent £3.2 million move to Boro from Brighton earlier this summer following his loan spell.

Mavididi’s career record shows his potential

Mavididi’s overall career statistics underline why Middlesbrough remain interested despite his recent struggles.

He came through Arsenal’s academy but never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners. He subsequently spent time with Charlton Athletic and Preston North End before joining Juventus.

His time in Italy was limited, with just one senior appearance for the Turin club, although he later gained valuable experience during a loan spell with Dijon.

Mavididi then established himself at Montpellier, making 98 appearances and scoring 21 goals while adding five assists.

His move to Leicester represented another important step in his career, and he has since accumulated 127 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 23 goals and providing 10 assists.

Those numbers suggest there is still plenty of ability within the winger, even if his recent performances have failed to match expectations.

Middlesbrough’s ambitious summer continues

A potential move for Mavididi would represent another statement of intent from Middlesbrough after an already impressive summer transfer window.

The club have spent heavily in their attempt to turn last season’s play-off disappointment into promotion success.

Sarmiento was among the early additions, with the winger making his move permanent for £3.2 million.

Myles Peart-Harris subsequently arrived on a free transfer after leaving Oxford United, while Kyle Joseph joined from Hull City for around £4 million.

The club then made a major investment in attack by signing Will Lankshear from Tottenham Hotspur. That deal could eventually become a club-record £20 million transfer if all of the relevant performance-related clauses are activated.

Boro have also strengthened their midfield and defence with the arrivals of USMNT internationals Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten.

Goalkeeper Radek Vitek has also joined from Manchester United following an impressive loan spell with Bristol City. His transfer initially costs around £7 million but could rise to £14 million with additional clauses.

Boro still have more business to complete

Middlesbrough’s recruitment work does not appear to be finished yet.

The Teessiders are also reportedly considering another move for Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips, meaning a potential pursuit of Mavididi would form part of an even broader effort to strengthen Hellberg’s squad.

However, beating Rangers to Mavididi will not be straightforward.

The Scottish giants are believed to have already explored a deal with Leicester and could potentially offer around £7 million for the winger.

Other Championship clubs are also monitoring the situation, creating the possibility of a competitive race for his signature.

For Middlesbrough, the decision ultimately comes down to whether they believe Mavididi can rediscover the form that made him such an influential player during Leicester’s promotion campaign.

If he can, the 28-year-old could become a significant attacking weapon for Hellberg and help Boro make another serious push for the Premier League.

But given his recent decline, the club must carefully weigh the financial commitment against the possibility that his best days may already be behind him.

For now, Middlesbrough’s interest adds another fascinating twist to Mavididi’s future, with Rangers and several Championship rivals also potentially competing for the Leicester winger.