Rudy Gestede hasn’t always been a mainstay in the starting XI for Aston Villa this season, especially under Steve Bruce, and he’s not short of suitors ahead of next month’s transfer window.
According to the Guardian, Middlesbrough have joined Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the race to sign Gestede with Bruce reportedly willing to let him leave the club.
Jonathan Kodjia, who scored in yesterday’s win over QPR, and Ross McCormack are firmly established as the club’s top two striker’s following their big-money summer moves from Bristol City and Leeds United respectively, which has left Gestede on the outside looking in.
Middlesbrough want to bring in the Benin international to help ease the pressure off Alvaro Negredo in attack and Gestede was in attendance at the Riverside during Boro’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool and he remains interested in a return to the Premier League.
Palace also want some depth in attack after losing Connor Wickham for the season with an ACL tear, while Loic Remy and Jonathan Benteke have both struggled with injuries during the first half of the season.
Alan Pardew will allow Jordon Mutch to join Aston Villa as part of any deal which sees Gestede move to Selhurst Park – it’s unknown whether this would be of any interest to Steve Bruce.
Villa could also look to bring in Jordan Rhodes from Middlesbrough if they can arrange a deal for Gestede.
