Steve Bruce hinted Rudy Gestede may have made his last contribution in an Aston Villa shirt by confirming the club are in discussions over his sale.
Middlesbrough are understood to be closing in on signing the striker in a £6.5million deal during the January transfer window and Bruce wants to use the money to fund deals for new players in other positions.
Bruce confirmed a Premier League club have opened negotiations and is prioritising a new midfielder or right-back to come in instead.
'I believe a Premier League club is in discussions with us about him so we will see how that develops,' Bruce said after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United.