Jordan Rhodes could be on the verge of joining Boro in a stunning move, as confirmed by The Gazette this morning.
The prolific striker has emerged as a shock target as Boro look to finish a superb season on a high.
Judging by his track record, the 25-year-old is more than capable of hitting the goals to fire Boro to the Premier League.
Prolific at Huddersfield, prolific at Blackburn - Rhodes has a clinical eye for goal. The only surprise is the fact the goal-getter hasn't played in the Premier League yet.
It's certainly not through a lack of trying on the behalf of top tier clubs. Hull City were said to have bid £12m for the striker last year but had their efforts rebuffed.
Here's your chance to familiarise yourself with the striker.
Roy Keane allowed him to leave Ipswich
The fact he allowed Jordan Rhodes to leave the club rather epitomised Roy Keane's time at Ipswich.
The striker didn't take long to show his former employers what they were missing - smashing 73 goals in 108 games for the Terriers.
Surely it was just a matter of time until he worked his way up the league ladder? A transfer window wouldn't pass without Rhodes being linked to a different club.
Roy Keane
In the end it was Blackburn who forked out £8m for the striker following their relegation from the Premier League as they looked for an immediate return to the top flight.
It was a move that perhaps raised a few eyebrows as Rovers had evolved into quite the circus club with the furore surrounding Steve Kean and the Indian owners.
Gary Bowyer eventually steadied the ship but any off the field upheaval had no impact on Rhodes. He continued to do what he does so well - score goals.
Huddersfield will be hoping Blackburn receive quite the sum for the striker
Blackburn will no doubt be hoping to receive a heavy cash windfall for the striker - and his previous club will be watching on with interest.
For Huddersfield are set to receive a 20% sell-on fee.
Jordan Rhodes during his time at Huddersfield
The Terriers have established themselves in the Championship over recent years and that sell-on could be a huge shot in the arm as they look to splash the cash this coming summer.
Not that they'll receive any money immediately. The Gazette understands Boro are hoping to sign Rhodes on loan until the summer before thrashing out a permanent deal.
He's not Gordon Strachan's biggest fan
Music to the ears of Boro fans.
Born in Oldham but eligible to play for Scotland, Rhodes made his international debut in 2011 and looked set to be the man to lead the nation's line for the immediate future.
That was until Gordon Strachan got the job.
The former Boro boss likes to play one up-top, a system he believes doesn't suit Rhodes.
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan (C) and assistant manager Mark McGhee (R) with Jordan Rhodes
"It leaves Jordan, like many people, with a system that doesn't suit him," said Strachan.
Rhodes is clearly focused on forcing his way back into the fiery Scot's thinking.
“I love playing for my country and it’s a massive honour to do so,” he said at the end of last year.
“I can’t influence what happens at international level."
It will be a family affair if he joins Boro
Uncle Steve will make sure he settles in well.. Not Gibson, but Karanka's No.2 Steve Agnew.
Rhodes is Agnew's nephew and it's clear to see Boro's assistant rates his relative extremely highly.
While he was Steve Bruce's deputy at Hull, the Tigers bid £12 for Rhodes.
Steve Agnew and Aitor Karanka
Blackburn rejected the bid last summer with Gary Bowyer believing he had built a squad capable of launching an attack on promotion. If that was going to come to fruition then the goals of Rhodes and Rudy Gestede would be crucial.
With promotion now out of the window for another year, it's clear Blackburn are now having a re-think about their prized assett.
Boro will be the envy of the Championship should the deal go ahead
Just how good is Jordan Rhodes? A quick glance at the clubs reportedly interested in snapping him up should tell you all you need to know.
Derby County and Norwich were both sniffing round Rhodes at the start of this week it became clear that Blackburn were willing to let the striker move on. And Nottingham Forest, still operating under a transfer ban of course, were also said to be interested.
If Boro manage to get the deal over the line it won't just be a huge boost for Karanka's side, it will be a real blow for their promotion rivals who were showing an interest.
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