Middlesbrough have reportedly entered the race to sign the Aston Villa striker.
Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede attended Middlesbrough’s Premier League defeat against Liverpool on Wednesday, according to the Guardian.
Gestede, who appeared as a late substitute in Villa’s 1-0 defeat at Norwich City the following evening, has reportedly emerged as a target for the Riverside club.
The Benin international has started less than half of the Villans’ Championship fixtures this season, scoring four goals, and is said to favour a return to the top flight. However, the report claims he will examine his options once the transfer window opens on 2 January.
Middlesbrough are keen to back up Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo, with another goalscorer, Jordan Rhodes, barely featuring since the Teessiders’ promotion last season.
Rhodes, incidentally, has been linked with a move in the opposite direction this month and Villa will reportedly ask for the Scotland international to be included in any deal.
Crystal Palace are also said to be keen on Gestede, having lost Connor Wickham for the rest of the season to a cruciate ligament injury.
Should Aston Villa exchange strikers with Middlesbrough next month?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
