Aston Villa transfer news: Jordan Rhodes bid turned down as Steve Bruce slaps in £10million offer for Middlesbrough striker
Villa boss Bruce is a long-term admirer of Rhodes and has made his mind up that he wants striker in permanent deal
ASTON VILLA boss Steve Bruce has had a stunning £10million offer for Jordan Rhodes turned down by Middlesbrough.
Bruce offered a guaranteed £6m plus bonuses for Rhodes after weeks of chewing over whether to commit so much cash to the deal.
The Villa chief's mind has been made up by his misfiring strikers and now he hopes Boro will let Rhodes go as he is shunted out of Aitor Karanka's plans.
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Rhodes did not even travel to Watford at the weekend and can go for £12m - the fee put on his head by owner Steve Gibson.
Villa's bid is short of that number and includes bonuses, so they may have to increase the offer to get their man.
Sheffield Wednesday are also keen but they face Financial Fair Play issues if they spend that kind of money without selling one or two to balance the books.
Bruce does not have those problems as Villa have parachute payments.
He is also ready to meet Barnsley's £4 million valuation on young right-back James Bree.
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SunSport can also exclusively reveal that Bree's Tykes team-mate Conor Hourihane has his heart set on a move to Villa Park.
The Irish midfielder wants to work under former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, even if he has to wait until the summer.
