Aston Villa have joined in the race for Blackburn Rovers striker Rudy Gestede, reports Shoot. 

Blackburn tell Watford they will have to cough up £6m if they want Gestede
Villa are eyeing a move for Rudy Gestede

Villa boss Tim Sherwood is eyeing the Benin international as the replacement for Christian Benteke, who joined Liverpool in a £32.5million deal last week.

Shoot understands Sherwood is set to test Blackburn's resolve for the striker with a £6m bid, although Rovers are holding out for £8m for the man who scored an impressive 22 goals in 44 games in all competitions last season.

Gestede has been heavily linked with a move away from Ewood Park this summer with a number of Premier League in the likes of Norwich City, Watford and Crystal Palace said to be interested.

His striker partner Jordan Rhodes is also attracting intense interest from Middlesbrough as boss Gary Bowyer is under pressure to keep hold of the club's star players.

The Lancashire outfit have rejected a £10m offer from Boro for Rhodes, who has since gone on record to say that he is disappointed that the club rejected the offer and wants to leave.

The Scotland international is out with an ankle injury while Gestede missed the friendly against Oldham Athletic at the weekend due to a knock to the knee in training.

Blackburn are under a transfer embargo and have already lost star midfielder Tom Cairney to Fulham earlier this summer.

Rovers have challenged for a top six place in the last two seasons but failed on both occasions, and given the situation the club is in as well of the likelihood of losing both Gestede and Rhodes, it is looking increasingly difficult for Bowyer to mount a squad capable of challenging this campaign.

Meanwhile, former Aston Villa and Blackpool striker Nathan Delfouneso has been handed an extended trial after scoring one and setting up the other in Rovers' 2-0 win over Oldham.

What do you make to the news Blackburn fans? Will the club lose both Gestede and Rhodes? Let us know in the comments section below!