BLACKBURN Rovers are ready to play hardball over the sale of Jordan Rhodes after telling Middlesbrough he will not be sold for less than £12m.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson is ready to back Aitor Karanka – who yesterday confirmed Seb Hines and Emmanuel Ledesma are being released - in the transfer market this summer in the hope of securing automatic promotion to the Premier League.

But such a hefty price tag for a Championship striker is likely to put off the Teessiders if the Ewood Park club demand that it is all paid up regardless of any clauses.

Middlesbrough could try to create a deal where Rhodes would move to the Riverside Stadium for considerably less and then pay the rest if promotion is achieved.

Karanka wants Rhodes before the start of next season, although there are alternatives so he will not wait around forever waiting for Blackburn to budge.

A new centre-forward is a priority and the Scotland international’s predatory instincts in front of goal ensure he is in demand.

But Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer has told the club’s owners, Venky’s, that he does not want one of his prize assets to leave. It could be, though, that one of Rhodes or Rudy Gestede is sold before August.

Bowyer said: “If nobody comes in with a massive offer for either of them, or if they do and that offer is not accepted by the club, then we won’t be looking to bring strikers in.

“We might need to replace Josh King’s pace and that’s something we’re looking at, but if we can keep hold of both Jordan and Rudy it would be great business for Blackburn Rovers.”

After Boro entered transfer discussions with Blackburn over the first few months of 2015, Blackburn are aware that the interest still exists and are braced for a fresh bid.

“It’s no surprise that several of our players have been linked with possible moves. We have recruited well and developed them,” said Bowyer.

“People obviously think because of the embargo we’re in a situation where we desperately need to sell, but that is not the case.

“We’re concentrating on finding ways to add to the squad and make it better than what it was last season.”

Karanka and Gibson have had detailed transfer discussions already and the chairman has outlined a willingness to strengthen the Boro squad.

Having lost a number of loan signings there will be a push to fill the squad with more temporary acquisitions, so Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Mauricio Pocchetino at Tottenham will be contacted once again.

But there will be money made available and with Patrick Bamford unlikely to be back at the Riverside next season after returning to Chelsea following his loan, replacing his 19 goals will be crucial.

Boro could also try to take Jelle Vossen back to the North-East before the start of the season depending on how things go.

Emmanuel Ledesma and Seb Hines will become free agents along with Dean Whitehead when their contracts expire at the of the month.

Experienced defender Jonathan Woodgate is also out of contract but is due to have further discussions with Gibson and Karanka. He could yet stay in a player-coach capacity. Youngsters David Atkinson, who has already signed for Carlisle, Ryan Brobbel, James Warnett, Kieron Weledji have also been released.