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da dobrowin： Following the departure of striker Rudy Gestede to Middlesbrough for a fee in the region of £6.5m last week, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce could be searching for a replacement for the tall attacker before the end of theÂtransfer window, although some of his targets may not be available until the summer.The Benin international joined the Villans from Blackburn Rovers in 2015 and with an impressive scoring record during his time at Ewood Park, hopes were high that he could fire for the Midlands outfit. But it never happened and he departed the Championship side having netted just tenÂgoals in 55 appearances.
With Bruce’s preferred option up top – Jonathan Kodjia – and fellow forward Jordan Ayew away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and summer signing Ross McCormack’s future seemingly uncertain after he has struggled to break into the starting XI, buying a striker could be a priority for the Villa manager this month.
Here are FOUR that could replace Gestede at Villa Park…
Ashley Fletcher
Following a successful loan spell with Barnsley last season, in which he scored nine goals in 27 appearances, the striker would have been confident of making an impression at West Ham after sealing a move to the London Stadium from Manchester United during the summer.
However, the 21-year-old has found first-team minutes hard to come by in an Irons side that has largely struggled, and he may need to look for another temporary move away for the remainder of the campaign.
The tall attacker is surely one that would be on Steve Bruce’s radar, and if he wants to strengthen his frontline this month, then Fletcher could be one of the best options on the market right now.
Sam Gallagher
Blackburn Rovers continue to struggle at the wrong end of the Championship table, but one of the bright sparks of their season has been the form of Southampton loanee Sam Gallagher up top.
The 6ft. 4″ striker, who made 18 appearances for the Saints in the Premier League in the 2013/14 campaign, has impressed with his hold-up play for Rovers this term, while he has also netted an impressive nine league goals.
With his height and his goalscoring ability, as well as the fact he is still just 21, the young attacker could be the perfect replacement for Gestede, although any deal would have to wait until his loan deal at Ewood Park ends in the summer.
Jordan Rhodes
Despite Middlesbrough struggling to score goals this season – they have netted just 17 in their 20 Premier League matches, which is the joint-lowest alongside Hull City – the previously prolific Jordan RhodesÂhas struggled to get many first-team minutes under Aitor Karanka.
The arrival of his former Blackburn Rovers team-mate Gestede at the Riverside Stadium seems to have sealed his future, and the Scottish attacker is surely one that Steve Bruce will be keeping a close eye on.
The 26-year-old scored 83 goals in 159 Championship appearances during his time at Ewood Park, and Bruce will know that he is getting a player that is proven at this level if he brings Rhodes to Villa Park.
Tammy Abraham
Not too many people would have heard of Tammy Abraham before the start of this season, but they certainly have now.
The Chelsea striker has scored 17 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions on loan at Villa’s Championship rivals Bristol City this term and as well as his impressive record in front of goal, he also stands at 6ft. 4″ tall – coming in at a similar height to Gestede.
While any deal wouldn’t be done until the summer, the battle to sign Abraham could be a big one following his performances this season, and the current Premier League leaders might even want him back if he keeps this form up.