Blackburn agree fee with Middlesbrough for Jordan Rhodes

Scotland global Rhodes, bought by Town for £400,000 from Ipswich Town in 2009, is set for talks with Boro, with the fee reported to be an initial £9m rising to a possible £11m.

In a further development to the story though, revelations can be made that Blackburn are keen on securing the services of Vela despite them failing to raise funds with the collapsed departure of Rhodes to Middlesbrough. If Rhodes and Middlesbrough can’t agree on a deal, Watford could jump in and sign the striker.

Rhodes has told Sky Sports News HQ he is “baffled and disappointed” by Middlesbrough’s decision to withdraw from the deal.

Lambert confirmed the collapse of the transfer on Blackburn’s official website, saying: “After a fee was agreed between the two clubs, Jordan asked to go and speak to Middlesbrough”.

Speaking after Saturday’s FA Cup win at Oxford, Rovers boss Lambert revealed Rhodes had informed him he wanted to leave and that he was surprised his club did not accept Hull’s offer 18 months ago when Gary Bowyer was in charge.

However, having put the 25-year-old through a medical, reports this afternoon claimed that Boro had ended their pursuit on financial grounds.

“Rhodes, who has a contract at Blackburn until July 2019, is now expected to stay put at Ewood Park”.

There is no denying Rovers will badly miss Rhodes, scorer of 85 goals in 169 games in three-and-a-half seasons.