Get the latest Boro stories straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter Enter your email Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Boro have dramatically pulled the plug on the Jordan Rhodes deal after the price rose too high.

The club had agreed a fee with Blackburn Rovers for the prolific striker believed to be £9m with potential add-ons.

But as personal terms were thrashed out, with wages, built in pay-rises and bonuses, the deal on the table grew too expensive for chairman Steve Gibson to sanction.

Both clubs confirmed an agreement had been reached on Friday and Blackburn boss Paul Lambert was quoted on how he would reinvest the fee to rebuild his team. A swift deal appeared cut and dried.

After being withdrawn from Rovers squad to play at Oxford in the FA Cup, the striker spent yesterday at Rockliffe Hall taking his medical, having a look around the swish training complex and fine-tuning his personal terms.

Read more Everything you need to know about Jordan Rhodes

Boro were ready to take on his lucrative Rovers deal - which includes a promotion pay rise - and add another year to the length of the contract.

And the early indications were that the player and his representatives were happy with that.

But Boro grew uneasy during talks as further performance clauses and bonuses were requested which pushed the investment above their ceiling.

It is understood the deal being demanded would have seen Boro invest a figure heading towards a total of £30m over the course of the bumper four-and-half-year deal.

And that was too much for Boro bosses and would have shattered the pay-structure.

After last ditch talks failed to find a compromise this morning Boro bosses pulled the plug.

The revenue of the club last season was around £16m which shows the level of investment the move would mean.

With the transfer window closing tomorrow night it leaves Boro with little time to bring in an alternative striking target.

Video recorded on Friday

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The club were heavily linked with Fulham’s wantaway striker Ross McCormack last week but say they never made a bid for the Scot while the London club insist he is not for sale.

Another proposed move drifted away as left wing loan target Alex Pritchard of Spurs appears to have opted for Burnley ahead of Boro.

It is understood he wanted guarantees of pitch time but would face stiff competition at Boro in that role.

But Boro have added Spanish striker Kike Sola on loan from Athletic Bilbao this month as well as Uruguay playmaker Gaston Ramirez on loan from Southampton.

And they continue to work on possible targets to beef up in central defence and in central midfield.