Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace showing interest in Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede

Middlesbrough are showing interest in Aston Villa forward Rudy Gestede. 

The Benin international has struggled for form this season but is being considered as a cut-price alternative by Boro should they find a buyer for Jordan Rhodes. 

Crystal Palace are also keen on Gestede, who has scored 10 goals for Villa since arriving from Blackburn in the summer of 2015, as they search for firepower to support Christian Benteke.

Rudy Gestede (centre) is a transfer target for both Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace

Benin international Gestede has scored four goals for Aston Villa so far this season

Gestede formed an impressive strike partnership with Rhodes while the two were together at Ewood Park, but could now be the man to replace his former team-mate, who has been told he can leave the Riverside by manager Aitor Karanka.

He has scored four times in 17 appearances for Steve Bruce's Villa side this season, but has only made eight starts. 

Rhodes, who only joined Boro for £9million in January and helped fire the club to promotion to the Premier League, is said to be interesting a host of clubs, given his past goal-scoring record.

Aitor Karanka has revealed that he is willing to let striker Jordan Rhodes leave Middlesbrough

While he has yet to score in the Premier League, Rhodes has 176 career goals to his name, during fruitful spells with Huddersfield and Blackburn.

Burnley and Hull City are both said to be keen on the 26-year-old goalscorer while Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City, Brighton, Derby and Celtic have also expressed interest.