Jordan Rhodes a £12m target for Middlesbrough, Sky sources say

Former Huddersfield Town striker Jordan Rhodes is the subject of a reported £14m bid from Championship big spenders Middlesbrough, who are looking to prise the 25-year-old away from Blackburn Rovers.

Middlesbrough have held a long-term interest in Rhodes and tried to sign the prolific forward during the loan window in March, with a view to a permanent deal, only for Rovers to resist their overtures.

Rovers are faced with a dilemma as they look to escape from a transfer embargo, knowing that selling either Rhodes or fellow striker Rudy Gestede would be the only way of taking a large step towards having those restrictions lifted.

Rovers’ Indian owners are still intent on returning the club to the top flight – a stance outlined in the Venky’s London Limited accounts this week – and do not want to strengthen the promotion credentials of a rival club.

Gestede, a Benin worldwide, has indicated a desire to move to the Premier League, with Norwich City also interested, and there is now every chance of him leaving Rovers before the new Championship season begins.

Blackburn are reluctant to lose their prized asset, but Middlesbrough are refusing to give up their pursuit of Rhodes.

Boro have already splashed the cash this summer to bring in Stewart Downing for an initial £5.5m fee, which could rise to £7m if they are promoted, but chairman Steve Gibson is backing manager Aitor Karanka once more with what would be a Championship record move for Rhodes.

The 25-year old has scored 73 goals in 134 games for Rovers and would be an astute signing for Karanka’s promotion fighting side.