Looking to put his own stamp on the Aston Villa squad in January, Steve Bruce’s Villans have been linked with a swoop for Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes this winter, report the Daily Star.
Struggling for game time at Boro following two prolific spells at Huddersfield Town and Blackburn Rovers, Bruce is keen to take advantage of Rhodes’ lack of Premier League involvement.
Having already tried to land the Scotland international in his time managing Hull City, Rhodes looks an attractive option for Aston Villa, especially considering three key forwards will be missing come January.
With Jonathan Kodjia, Jordan Ayew and Albert Adomah all set to be called up for African Cup of Nations duty in the New Year, there is an onus on Steve Bruce to fill this gap.
Summer arrival Alvaro Negredo has been Aitor Karanka’s first choice striker up top for Middlesbrough so far this season and the Daily Star’s report claims Rhodes is now growing frustrated with his lack of opportunity.
Registering 155 Football League strikes over his seven-year spell with both Huddersfield Town and Blackburn Rovers, Rhodes knows the Championship inside out and could well be the man to fire Aston Villa up the table.