Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has signaled his intent to leave the Riverside Stadium by handing in a written transfer request.

The 24-year-old, who has 21 England caps, signed a new five-year deal in February 2008 but is rumored to have become increasingly unsettled recently.

Tottenham had a reported bid of £6m rejected by Middlesbrough last week.

Manager Gareth Southgate has repeatedly stressed that local boy Downing would not be sold.

And chairman Steve Gibson added that no senior player would be leaving in the January transfer window.

“I can confirm that we have received an offer from Spurs for Stewart Downing and I can also confirm that we have rejected that offer,” Gibson told The Times.

“I’ve spoken to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and told him categorically that their interest is not welcome.

“I’ve also told him that we will not entertain any further offers for Stewart or, for that matter, any other senior member of our squad. The same applies to Tuncay and it also applies to Gary O’Neil.

“I repeat: none of our senior players will be leaving the Riverside Stadium this month.”

The Teesside club are under no financial pressure to offload one of their most prized assets but Southgate is not thought to have been previously aware of Downing’s desire to leave.

His view may now become similar to the scenario involving Yakubu when he made it clear his future lay away from the Riverside Stadium and was swiftly allowed to leave.

Boro’s valuation of Downing is nearer £15m, which would smash their record transfer sale, but it remains to be seen if Spurs will have the same opinion.

Source –

BBC