Gestede Heading To The Riverside?

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Middlesbrough are in talks over striker Rudy Gestede.

Bruce had previously confirmed that there was a ‘Premier League’ interest in the Benin international forward – Click Here – and the thoughts of pairing him up once more with Jordan Rhodes given how well they worked for each other at Blackburn Rovers certainly was not lost on many.

Bruce also commented that with six centre forwards chances are one would be off to allow him to rebalance the squad better and speaking to the BBC I presume from his post game Cardiff City press conference, he confirmed that the 28 year old had now had a fee agreed for him and he missed the trip to Wales because he was headed to Middlesbrough for talks.

Having joined us from Blackburn back in July 2015 he’s scored ten times in 55 appearances. However only 26 of those appearances have been from the start and his goal return looks better on that basis but arguably we have never used him right and played to his strengths as on the odd occasion we have he’s showed signs of how useful he could be.

The 28 year old has only started three times for Bruce though so he’s not overly in his plans.

‘I would envisage something would happen there. The two clubs have agreed a fee and he’s up there for talks.’

Pressed a little more on incomings, Bruce did reveal the deal that was close was a loan move for the remainder of the campaign and there was verbal agreement but bits still to be done.

‘It is agreed verbally but there is still some work to be done. I will only improve us if the right player comes along.’

Given the recent speculation that’s been well covered on here take your own guesses at who that might be.