---
title: "Villa lead chase for Boro striker Jordan Rhodes"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/12/05/villa-lead-chase-boro-striker-jordan-rhodes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Bore"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2016-12-05T13:24:47Z"
modified: "2016-12-05T13:24:47Z"
---

# Villa lead chase for Boro striker Jordan Rhodes

Aston Villa are in pole position to sign Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes this January, according to an exclusive from [HITC Sport](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/12/04/middlesbrough-want-money-back-on-jordan-rhodes/).

Rhodes has scored over 180 career goals but has struggled for game-time since securing promotion to the Premier League with Boro. Former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo has been Aitor Karanka’s preferred choice – keeping Rhodes out of the side.

[HITC Sport](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/12/04/middlesbrough-want-money-back-on-jordan-rhodes/) understand Karanka has made fringe strikers Rhodes and David Nugget available for transfer ahead of the January window, paving the way for a move for Spanish striker Jonathan Soriano of RB Salzburg.

![David Rogers/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/12/545632394.jpg)

Boro are looking to recoup their investment on Rhodes and have slapped a £10million price-tag on his head

Villa have emerged as early favourites to land Rhodes this January and Steve Bruce is [reportedly](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/12/04/middlesbrough-want-money-back-on-jordan-rhodes/) prepared to offload Norwich target Ross McCormack to free up funds for the move.

Bruce faces stiff competition from long-term Rhodes admirers Sheffield Wednesday, who had a loan bid knocked for the Scotsman in the summer window.