Jordan Rhodes to leave Middlesbrough with Aston Villa set to swoop but Sheffield Wednesday deny interest
Boro striker to return to Championship after lack of game time for Aitor Karanka's outfit
MIDDLESBROUGH striker Jordan Rhodes is set to leave the club – despite finally getting his Premier League chance.
The Scotland international is top target for Aston Villa in next month’s transfer window and looks likely to leave the Teesside outfit.
Rhodes started for Boro during in their 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Sunday.
But that was only his second start this season and the ex-Blackburn Rovers star is desperate for more action.
The 26-year-old has had to play second fiddle to Alvaro Negredo at the Riverside and he is prepared to drop down to the Championship for game time, according to the .
Speaking of his man’s performance against the Saints, Karanka said: “I think Jordan did well. It was difficult but he had his chance.
“He knew one day that he’d be given his chance, and he was.”
Sheffield Wednesday were also reported to be interested in the striker, but Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal has ruled out a move for the ace.
He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "People must understand that since the beginning we know where is the best players in the competition, but we can’t put the club in embargo.
"We have Financial Fair Play - this is important also - there are some clubs who maybe will be with problems now with Financial Fair Play, maybe, or in the end of the season but we are not [in this situation], we are trying to do things in the proper way.
"I don't think that we need a revolution here.
"We have our players, we trust in our players. We expect to recover some players because they are important to us. Fernando [Forestieri] will be back soon, Gary Hooper will be back soon, Marco [Matias] will be back soon, Almen [Abdi] will be also included soon.
"There are four players with value that [can] come inside the team and make us more strong. I wish more that they come back to the team than I bring another players from outside because if we go to market in January, of course, we will be with limitations."
That puts Steve Bruce’s Villa in the driving seat to complete a deal for the goalscorer.