HITC Sport understands Boro want back their outlay on Scottish star, as Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday continue to circle.
Middlesbrough’s stance on Jordan Rhodes remains unchanged, having turned down two bids for the striker already this month, HITC Sport understands.
As HITC Sport revealed as early as last month, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday have been the leading candidates to land the Scotland striker – who joined Boro from Blackburn Rovers just over 12-months ago.
Rhodes has seen his changes limited under Aitor Karanka, who has made it clear that the striker does not feature in his long-term plans.
Boro, though, paid over £10million to Blackburn and have made it clear to both Villa and Wednesday their demands, but that has not stopped both clubs making similar bids of £6million for the player.
Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes shoots at goal
The two teams remain keen, but Karanka has confirmed that his value must be met.
“If the right offer comes in and he wants to leave then for sure,” Karanka said in his weekly press conference when asked about Rhodes.
“The club has received two offers but they weren’t enough, so he’s here and training really well.”
Rhodes is unlikely to be the only departure, with Uruguay ace Gaston Ramirez making it clear to the club he wants to leave, and HITC Sport understands there a couple of teams interested in taking the summer free transfer from Southampton.
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With Rhodes and Ramirez looking likely to leave, Boro are looking at keeping hold of Stewart Downing. The player is happy to stay but was made available on loan and Crystal Palace opened talks about a deal, and they could yet try and take him before the end of the month.
Middlesbrough do have plenty of their own options to come in, and are hopeful of doing deals for Stoke City’s Bojan and also Paris Saint Germain forward Jese – who is set to decide between a loan move to Las Palmas or Boro.
Boro are holding talks with Stoke and are hopeful they can push through a move for Bojan, whilst PSG are happy with their loan offer for Jese – but the player is now deciding where his future lies.
Middlesbrough’s Gaston Ramirez
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