Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede is reportedly set to join Middlesbrough.
According to The Guardian, Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede is on the verge of a £6.5million move to Premier League side Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.
Gestede, 28, joined Villa in the summer of 2015 after starring with Blackburn Rovers, as he smashed 35 goals in just 72 appearances for the Ewood Park side.
Aston Villa’s Rudy Gestede celebrates scoring
The Benin international hit five Premier League goals last season as Villa suffered relegation to the Championship, but has started just eight league games this season, making a further nine substitute appearances.
With four goals to his name, Gestede has still been finding the net, but his first-team prospects haven’t improved under Steve Bruce – and the 6ft 3in striker now looks set for a Premier League move in January.
Aston Villa’s Rudy Gestede in action with Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles
The Guardian report that Gestede is poised to join Middlesbrough in a deal worth £6.5million, with Boro desperately looking for goals having scored just 16 league goals this season – the second lowest tally in the Premier League.
Gestede will allegedly pen a three-year deal with Boro when the transfer window opens next week, and will complete his move to the Riverside Stadium having intriguingly been in the stands to watch Boro lose 3-0 to Liverpool earlier this month.
Gestede’s move to Teesside could spell the end for Jordan Rhodes, as the report claims that Villa boss Bruce could subsequently move to land the Scotland striker with Gestede heading to the North East.
It’s added that Middlesbrough managed to fend off Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion for his signature, as well as Championship promotion-contenders Newcastle United.
Would you be happy with Gestede’s proposed move to Middlesbrough?
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