Jordan Rhodes future: Aston Villa make transfer enquiry, but no bid lodged
Aston Villa have made an enquiry for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes.
Steve Bruce has identified the 26-year-old as the man to boost the firepower of his team, who are averaging just a goal a game in the Championship.
No bid has yet been lodged, with Villa aiming to agree a price considerably lower than the £11million figure currently being demanded by Boro for a player who has netted just six times in 26 appearances since joining from Blackburn last season.
Bruce had previously made clear his reluctance to bring in a striker during the January window but Villa's continued struggles in front of goals – they have netted just five in the last nine games – has prompted a rethink.
With Jonathan Kodjia and Jordan Ayew away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Bruce currently has only Gabriel Agbonlahor and the out-of-form Ross McCormack to call on up front.
The latter has netted just three goals in 22 appearances since a £12million move from Fulham last summer.
Rhodes, who netted 83 goals in 159 games in the Championship for Rovers, has long been a player on Bruce's radar. He previously tried to sign the Scotland international in 2013 while manager of Hull City.
