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Rudy Gestede has travelled to the North-east to complete his £6m move from Aston Villa to Middlesbrough, Steve Bruce has confirmed.

The Benin international was not included in the Villa squad for this afternoon's match at Cardiff City, amid speculation that he's set to sign for Boro in the coming days.

Boro head coach Aitor Karanka remained coy over his side's interest in Gestede after today's 0-0 draw with Leicester, insisting he has not yet met with the player and does not expect anything any imminent action on the transfer front.

But talking to BBC West Midlands tonight, Bruce confirmed the towering forward is on his way to Teesside to finalise his move.

"Yes he is up there for talks," Bruce said when asked about Gestede.

"The two clubs agreed a fee yesterday or the day before, so he's up there for talks and I'd envisage something may happen there."

Gestede is expected to become Boro's first January signing in the coming days, with the club hopeful that he could make his Boro debut in Sunday's FA Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday.

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Meanwhile speculation tonight has linked out-of-favour Boro keeper Tomas Mejias with a loan move to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.

Mejias - who has not made an appearance this season - came close to leaving Boro before the summer deadline, only for his move to collapse at the eleventh hour.

Karanka has previously admitted he only wants three senior stoppers on the books, paving the way for Mejias' exit this month.