Middlesbrough should plot ambitious Cardiff City transfer raid amid Finn Azaz, Southampton exit fear | OneFootball

Boro should look to South Wales for their midfield replacement for Southampton-bound Azaz.

Middlesbrough face a pivotal final week in the transfer market as Southampton close in on star playmaker Finn Azaz.

Football League World has exclusively revealed that the Saints are expected to return with an improved offer for the 24-year-old, who has emerged as one of the most productive midfielders in the Championship.

It's now looking like a deal worth an eventual £15m will see Azaz swap Boro for Southampton.

Signed from Aston Villa for a modest £2 million in January 2024, Azaz swiftly cemented himself as a key figure at the Riverside.

While Middlesbrough were not in a rush to sell, the financial muscle of Southampton, coupled with Azaz’s desire to move, means the Teesside club must at minimum draw up contingency plans.

Rubin Colwill could be the ideal Finn Azaz replacement for Middlesbrough

With Middlesbrough forced into the transfer market, they could do far worse than launching an audacious bid for Cardiff City’s Rubin Colwill.

The Welsh international, at 23, has long been regarded as one of the most technically gifted players in the Championship and is now relishing a starring role in League One following Cardiff’s relegation.

Colwill has started the new campaign in sparkling form under Brian Barry Murphy, not only being named vice captain but also delivering decisive moments in key fixtures.

A free-kick winner against Peterborough and another set-piece strike in the EFL Cup against Swindon are early signs that he is embracing the responsibility of being his boyhood club’s creative heartbeat.

With over 150 senior appearances already under his belt, Colwill is no longer a raw talent but a polished, high-level performer.

Cardiff’s stance, of course, will be to retain their prize asset. Following the departures of seasoned figures such as Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ralls, the Bluebirds are desperate to build around Colwill as they target an immediate return to the Championship. His appointment as vice captain reflects that intent.

However, Middlesbrough possess both the ambition and financial standing to at least test Cardiff's resolve.

A significant bid would be difficult to ignore for a club still adjusting to the realities of third tier football.

Ambitious Cardiff City transfer could be tactical and transformative for Middlesbrough

For Boro, Colwill would represent more than just a replacement for Azaz. He brings similar technical flair and creative invention but with the added bonus of being a long-term investment.

His ability to operate between the lines and contribute from set pieces mirrors Azaz’s strengths while offering the kind of ceiling that could make him a Premier League-level player in the years ahead.

While the likelihood of Cardiff sanctioning a sale is slim, particularly with Colwill thriving in his elevated role, Middlesbrough should not dismiss the possibility.

Transfer windows are volatile and defined by ambition, and with Azaz departing, moving decisively for Colwill would be a statement of intent.

It would not only soften the blow of losing one of their best players but also ensure the creative heartbeat of the side remains strong as Boro chase promotion under Edwards.

In short, Azaz’s exit is a looming headache for Middlesbrough, but it could also serve as the catalyst for bold, forward-thinking recruitment.

Colwill is a player of genuine top bracket Championship quality currently operating in League One. For a club of Middlesbrough’s stature and ambition, making an aggressive play for him would be as pragmatic as it is ambitious.