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Steve Bruce confirms Prem striker talks and reveals his priority signings for January
STEVE BRUCE has all but confirmed Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede will leave Villa Park in January.
Rudy Gestede looks set for Middlesbrough switch
Aston Villa paid £6million for Gestede in the summer of 2015 but the Benin international has started just eight Championship games this season.
And Bruce has revealed the 28-year-old is on the verge of leaving Villa, with Middlesbrough thought to be the frontrunners for his signature.
Steve Bruce wants to sign a midfielder and defender in January
The Guardian reported yesterday that Boro, who are looking to offload striker Jordan Rhodes in January, have agreed a £6.5million deal for Villa's Gestede.
"I do believe a Premier League club is talking to us," said Bruce. "I'll know more tonight and tomorrow. We'll see how that develops."
Rudy Gestede has started just eight Championship games this season
Bruce also has strikers Jordan Ayew, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Libor Kozak, Jonathan Kodjia and Ross McCormack in his squad and admits he needs to sell Gestede in order to recruit a midfielder and defender.
The Villa manager added: "I've got six centre forwards and I've got to maybe sell one to buy in a midfield player or another defender."