Bamford is set to follow former Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede to Middlesbrough.
Football League pundit Adam Virgo has claimed on Twitter that Middlesbrough are ‘again’ paying ‘over the odds’ for imminent arrival Patrick Bamford.
Bamford looks set to arrive at the Riverside from Chelsea, in a deal which could eventually cost Aitor Karanka’s side £10 million, according to some reports.
Patrick Bamford during a previous spell at Middlesbrough
And, according to Virgo, that will represent yet another overpayment from Boro, after the arrivals of Rudy Gestede (Aston Villa), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) and Afonso Alves (AZ Alkmaar) – the last of which was in 2008!
“Middlesbrough again pay over the odds Bamford who hasn’t scored since April 14th 2015. Chelsea gain again the way they use loan system,” posted the former Brighton & Hove Albion defender on Twitter.
When asked whom else he was referring to, Virgo replied: “£6 million on Gestede who couldn’t get in the Villa side. £12 million on Rhodes, who never plays for you now; Alves years ago.”
Bamford, who was named Championship player of the year while on loan to Middlesbrough two years ago, has struggled in subsequent spells at Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley, which appears to have convinced Chelsea to sanction the 23-year-old’s departure.
Gestede scored just four goals for Aston Villa in the first half of the campaign and could be replaced at Villa Park, ironically, by new teammate Rhodes.
Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes is a reported target for Aston Villa
Rhodes is said to be a long-term target for Villa boss Steve Bruce, however the striker’s reported £12 million asking price could yet scupper the move.
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