Villa still keen on Rhodes
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Aston Villa haven’t given up hope of signing Jordan Rhodes from Middlesbrough.
According to a report in the Birmingham Mail there is still contact between the two clubs with five days remaining in the transfer window.
Villa initially approached Middlesbrough to take the former Blackburn striker on loan but that was rejected with a £12m price tag put on the players head.
Steve Bruce returned with an offer of an upfront fee of £6m with £4m in add-on’s but that was also rejected with Sheffield Wednesday coming in with a slightly higher offer.
Villa’s need for a striker has increased following the weekend revelations about Ross McCormack but it’s unlikely that they will increase the cash offer for Rhodes.
Boro would still prefer to sell the striker but may be forced into accepting a loan deal as the transfer window closes- with a clause that the deal is made permanent if promotion is secured.