Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Middlesbrough are in the process of finalising a deal for Villan's striker Rudy Gestede. The Benin international has reportedly travelled up to Teesside to finish up the £6m move as Middlesbrough look to strengthen their attacking options.
Speaking to The BBC West Midlands via "?The Gazette , Villa boss Steve Bruce said: "Yes he is up there for talks.
"The two clubs agreed on a fee yesterday or the day before, so he's up there for talks and I'd envisage something may happen there."
Bruce left the 28-year-old striker out of the squad that lost 1-0 to Cardiff City yesterday as the Midlands club expect to lose their frontman in the next few days.
Gestede - who will be Middlesbrough's first signing in the January window - joins the side as they struggle for consistency in the Premier League. Aitor Karanka's side are currently sitting 16th in the league as they have struggled to find the back of the net in the first half of the Premier League season.
Boro currently have the equal worst goal-scoring record in the Premier League with 17-goals so far this season, a stat that will need to improve if they want to secure their spot in England's top flight. However, Karanka will be hoping that potentially signing Gestede will be a solution to his sides issue.
The Benin international has scored four goals in thirteen appearances for Aston Villa this season and has been quite an imposing figure upfront for the Midland's club across two seasons.
While Karanka remained closed lipped on a potential deal for Gestede in his post-match interview following a 0-0 draw with Leicester, insisting he hasn't spoken to or met with the player. It is expected that a deal will be finalised before the window ends
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