BLACKBURN Rovers top-scorer Jordan Rhodes is signing for Championship rivals Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £11m.

Rovers have ‘reluctantly’ accepted Boro’s offer, which is understood to comprise £9m up front and £2m in adds-ons, for their wantaway star striker.

And a club statement, issued on Friday night, reads: “Blackburn Rovers can confirm that they have reluctantly given Middlesbrough permission to speak to striker Jordan Rhodes.

“The player has expressed his desire to talk to the Teesside club and will travel to the North East for discussions.”

A statement from Boro, also issued on Friday night, reads: “The club can confirm we have agreed a deal with Blackburn Rovers to open talks with striker Jordan Rhodes about a permanent move to Middlesbrough.”

Rhodes had travelled with the rest of the Rovers squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Oxford United.

But he has now headed to Middlesbrough to complete the formalities of his transfer.

His debut for Boro could came against Rovers.

The clubs go head-to-head at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, February 6.

Middlesbrough are without a match this weekend having been knocked out of the FA Cup.

Huddersfield Town are entitled to 20% of any profit Rovers make on Rhodes.

The Scotland international has scored 85 goals, including 11 this season, in 169 games at Ewood Park following his £8m move from Huddersfield in August 2012.

Rovers owners Venky’s rejected £10m-plus bids for Rhodes from Hull City in August 2014 and from Boro in July last year.

After that latter offer was turned down Rhodes said: “I have been advised by the club that they have rejected an offer from Middlesbrough for my services which was in excess of what Blackburn paid for me.

“I am ambitious and have never hidden my desire to play at the highest level possible and that was one of the reasons why I left Huddersfield Town for Blackburn.

“When I left Huddersfield I felt the timing was right in the next stage of my career and having seen Middlesbrough’s performances last season in reaching the play-off final and their ambition this summer in terms of acquisitions, I would have liked to have been able to talk to them and I am unhappy at not being given the opportunity.”

But it would appear that Boro have now got their man after the 25-year-old made it clear that he wanted to leave Rovers.

Rhodes’ uncle, Steve Agnew, is assistant manager at Middlesbrough.

He was previously assistant manager at then Premier League outfit Hull when they were unsuccessful in their attempts to prise his nephew away from Rovers.

Boro are currently second behind the Tigers in the Championship table.