Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has given striker Jordan Rhodes the nod to leave the club should the player wish to once the transfer window re-opens in January.
Rhodes, 26, joined then Championship side Middlesbrough from Blackburn Rovers on transfer deadline day in February 2016, playing a pivotal role in The Boro’s quest for promotion last season, scoring six goals in 18 appearances.
However, the arrivals of big names like Viktor Fischer from Ajax and Spanish international Alvaro Negredo has seen Rhodes plummet down the pecking order as Karanka strives to keep the Smoggies in the Premier League.
True enough, Rhodes has only tallied a total six appearances this season for the club, with all but one of them coming from the bench. Rhodes is understandably frustrated in the situation and is now keen on seeking pastures anew in the hopes of getting more playing time.
Such frustration is believed to have been heard by Championship side Aston Villa, who are interested in snapping up the striker come January. Villa boss Steve Bruce is a long-time admirer of the striker’s talents, and has the received the club’s backing to buy Rhodes for a reasonable fee.
Karanka, for his part, is fine with Rhodes leaving.
“Jordan is a player in this squad, but if he wants to leave, if we receive the right offer from a club that wants to buy him, and we are happy with the deal, then fine,” the manager was quoted as saying by the Birmingham Mail.
“But if he wants to stay here, he’s part of the squad and I’m happy,” the Spanish tactician added.
It has been mooted that Boro have slapped a £12m price tag on Rhodes, however, and whether Aston Villa are willing to meet the valuation is uncertain.
Rhodes has a contract with Middlesbrough until 2020.
(Via Birmingham Mail, Transfermarkt and Soccerway)