Swansea City seek rampant Rudy Gestede’s signature
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Swansea City, odds-on 8/11 with Coral for a top 10 finish, are aiming to lure Blackburn Rovers striker Rudy Gestede to the Liberty Stadium in a bid to bolster their attacking threat.
Garry Monk’s men are reportedly interested in a move for the Benin international, who is valued at £6m following a rampant run of form this season.
The 26-year-old has netted 12 times in 24 appearances during the current Championship campaign, and also came off the bench to strike in his side’s FA Cup victory over the Swans.
Gestede, who helped dump the Welsh side out of this season’s FA Cup, has been linked with a move away from Ewood Park in recent weeks, with his manager Gary Bowyer admitting the brilliant Benin forward could depart.
“Personally, we have to try and keep all our players in this window,” said Bowyer. “But if they were to go I’m sensible enough. I’ve been brought up the right way to not throw my toys out of the pram and get on with it.”
Swansea currently occupy ninth spot in the Premier League table and have also been linked with Gestede’s Blackburn strike partner Jordan Rhodes in the winter window.
Monk’s Swans could benefit from a potent poacher in their ranks for the remainder of the domestic league season, following the loss of top scorer Wilfried Bony to Manchester City and with Bafetimbi Gomis being linked heavily with a departure for the club.
Other reported target Shola Ameobi has secured a switch to Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, so Monk may move for Gestede to improve his strikeforce in his side’s hunt for European places.
Swansea are just seven points adrift of sixth spot, and Monk will hope the capturing of rampant Rovers centre forward Gestede can boost his team’s chances of a late surge for Europa League football.
The superb Swans are 20/1 for a top six finish this season, having lost just twice in their previous six league outings.
