Aston Villa are reportedly keen on Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes.
Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes in action with West Ham United’s Adrian
According to The Sun, Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is already working on a January deal to take Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes on loan – but Boro coach Steve Agnew won’t join Bruce.
Bruce took charge of his first game as Villa boss on Saturday evening, which ended in a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers and featured another performance that summed up how uch work Bruce has to do.
Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce
The January transfer window will be vital for Bruce, and he’s already being linked with potential transfer targets, including yet another striker.
The Sun report that Bruce is working on a loan deal for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes, having wanted to sign him for Hull before the striker left Blackburn Rovers for Boro in January of this year.
Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes looks dejected
Whilst the Scotland international hit a stunning 85 goals in just 169 games for Blackburn, he found the net just six times in 18 games for Boro last term, and has started just once in the Premier League this term.
Clearly behind Alvaro Negredo in the pecking order, Rhodes has played just 99 minutes of first-team football this season, and Bruce is allegedly keen to offer him an escape route – despite already having Jonathan Kodjia, Ross McCormack, Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede at his disposal.
Middlesbrough assistant head coach Steve Agnew
It’s stated that a January loan deal is being worked on, with Middlesbrough in line to earn a bonus fee if Villa end up winning promotion back to the Premier League with Rhodes in their side, which seems like a pipedream right now, even if they land a proven Championship goalscorer in Rhodes.
However, the same report adds that Bruce’s former Hull assistant Steve Agnew – who is, ironically, Rhodes’ uncle – won’t be leaving Middlesbrough to reunite with Bruce, as he’s happy at the Riverside Stadium.
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