Premier League - Middlesbrough block Downing exit

Eurosport - Tue, 06 Jan 09:01:00 2009

Middlesbrough have confirmed they have rejected Stewart Downing's transfer request amid renewed interest from suitors Tottenham.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Carling Cup - Rodrigo Possebon, Manchester United and Stewart Downing, Middlesbrough - 0

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said the club had turned down an improved bid from Spurs and that any further enquiries about the player would not be welcome.

Lamb told the club's official website: "We received a written transfer request from Stewart this morning (Monday). It was considered before being rejected.

"Prior to receiving the transfer request, we received an improved offer for Stewart from Tottenham.

"We immediately rejected this offer and informed Tottenham that Stewart Downing is not for sale and any further interest they have in the player will not be entertained."

The England international, who signed a new five-year deal with Boro in February last year, has become frustrated with the club's perceived lack of ambition and is desperate to quit the Riverside in a bid to further his career.

Downing's father had earlier claimed his son has little choice but to leave Middlesbrough if he wants to fulfil his ambitions.

Stewart Sr told the Evening Gazette: "Stewart's been frustrated since the summer, really.

"When he signed his new contract he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad.

"He feels that the club haven't matched those expectations. He's also frustrated that the team is once again struggling in the Premier League.

"Obviously as a Middlesbrough lad, he's thought long and hard about the decision to hand in a transfer request, and he also hopes the fans will understand his reasons for doing so."

Spurs are thought to have offered in the region of £11 million for Downing, who came through the ranks at his hometown club.

But Boro chairman Steve Gibson and manager Gareth Southgate have insisted they will not allow Downing - or any other senior players - to leave as they look to arrest a worrying run of form that has seen the club go eight league games without a win.

"I have categorically told (Spurs chairman) Daniel Levy their interest is not welcome, nor will we entertain any further offers for Stewart," Gibson said.

"None of our senior players will be leaving the club this month."

Southgate said: "I'm not under any pressure to sell any player. In the situation we are in now we don't feel it would be right to let Stewart go."

Meanwhile, Lamb denied further speculation that midfielder Gary O'Neil had also handed in a transfer request.

"We have not received a transfer request from Gary but if we did receive one it would be rejected, as would any offer from another club.

"We believe that this squad of players is strong enough to substantially improve our league position and we are committed to keeping the squad together."

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 36 - 55 of 95

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  1. Lets hope the fans boo this arrogant person

    From Templegate2, on Mon 5 Jan 6:37PM

  2. shut up gene! every srticle you comment on ur terrible scholari impression that is neither funny nor does it make any sense.

    Im going to complain about you I think. I hate you

    From yip, on Mon 5 Jan 6:35PM

  3. coz shay is 32 & downing 24 u geordie nerd. he has 3-4 good years left then bantham fodder

    From doug.bragan, on Mon 5 Jan 6:19PM

  4. IF DOWNING WANTS TO GO THEN HE WILL NO MATTER WHAT GIBSON OR SOUTHGATE SAYS,CONTRACTS ARE NOT WORTH THE PAPER THERE WRITTEN ON,NOT LIKE WHEN FOOTBALL WAS A SPORT,AND PLAYERS PLAYED FOR THE SPORT NOT LIKE ALL THE MONEY GRABBERS IN THE SPORT TODAY WHO COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT THE CLUBDS THEY PLAY FOR,DON'T MATTER IF YOUR RONALDO,KAKA,OR EVEN DOWNING IF THEY WANT TO GO,THEN THEY WILL.FULL STOP.

    From , on Mon 5 Jan 6:15PM

  5. I'm a Spurs fan and have been for a long time. I also supported Middlesbrough through their amazing UEFA Cup campaign 3 years ago and back then it was Downing, Yakubu and Hasselbaink that were taking care of business on the pitch. Since then, Boro has gone WAY DOWN in standards.....so have we spurs but the major difference is that WE SPURS MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO IMPROVE AND ACQUIRE GLORY. Middlesbrough dont invest in their squad..almost not at all. Downing SHOULD want the move to spurs which is a much much bigger club with trophies and somewhat past glory. He's paid his dues...and all for nothing. No disrespect to boro but I hope you guys spend some money and bring in some players. Seriously

    From Evond, on Mon 5 Jan 6:13PM

  6. This is message from Luiz Felipe Scolari: I am most ehh upsetted by this news as ehh Roman just tell me that he find 3 million pounds in ehh sock drawer today and ehh this would have been 3 times what ehh Downing is worth but ehh we are Chelsea Football Club and ehh we do not take defeat easily, unless at ehh Stamford Bridge.

    With much ehh love,
    Big Phil

    From gene_hackman_stunt_double, on Mon 5 Jan 6:01PM

  7. I'm but why is this overrated played wanted for 11m and Arsenal are only offering 8m to take Shay Given from us, one of the best players in the league and certainly the best keeper in the premiership by a long way (not far off being the worlds best?) , there are cheaper, better wingers in the premiership and ambitions at Tottenham aren't that much bigger, well not anymore at least.

    From tharumblestrips, on Mon 5 Jan 5:57PM

  8. take the money Mr. Gibson - £11m profit and you can buy a couple of better players.
    Let Downing go - if he wants away and Spurs will pay £11m - take the money

    From John R, on Mon 5 Jan 5:54PM

  9. downings a show pony,totaly overated.

    From johnbarrass, on Mon 5 Jan 5:46PM

  10. Dragged up little @#$%. should be grateful to boro for giving the chance most of us can only dream about. Common Sunderland

    From scott, on Mon 5 Jan 5:46PM

  11. downings a show pony, totaly overated.

    From johnbarrass, on Mon 5 Jan 5:43PM

  12. guy thinks hes the left version of bentley!

    From glenn, on Mon 5 Jan 5:37PM

  13. downings wastin his career ther and needs to go to a better club this month so he can really show his talent!!

    fancy spendin ur career at middleborough!!! wat a shittown

    From J Bails, on Mon 5 Jan 5:37PM

  14. If he wants to progress then he certinaly needs to move on and be playing around better players who will in turn make him raise his game.
    I'd say anything between £12-16 million would be a fair price for a decent player like him, at a young age with international caps under his belt.

    From vulcanraven01, on Mon 5 Jan 5:36PM

  15. o paul irv.......quote "SPURS ARE HARDLY GOING TO WIN ANY TROPHIES ANYHOW"....what a northern numpty you really are, did you not watch a certain wembley final last year???? if not maybe you should watch the final this year and it may prevent you making ridiculous quotes....and the reason players prefer spurs to boro is that even though spurs arent actually lighting fires atleast they have a bloody go (investment,new stadium,history etc)and all know that, same points means bigger club does it? i guess fulham are massive then!

    From marcusthepower, on Mon 5 Jan 5:35PM

  16. may be if boro could fill there stadium he would want to stay who wants to play in a empty stadium you can hardly blame him for wanting to go also you didnt pay a penny for him so its all profit he as shown loyalty over the past couple of seasons so he should be granted his move

    From DAZGGMU-RED-LEGEND-OF-YAHOO, on Mon 5 Jan 5:34PM

  17. Downing is @#$%, boro should sell him and get all they can for him. He only looks half decent cos the rest of the boro squad are worse than he is. I feel sorry for the club that gets him and see's just how ordinary this lad is.

    From john b, on Mon 5 Jan 5:31PM

  18. Let him sit the rest of his contract out in the reserves and play johnson in downings position, at least he hasn't got an overinflated ego. the in four years time see how big downings ego is then.

    From jonflynn1976, on Mon 5 Jan 5:21PM

  19. downing hasn't played well since he was hauled off by capello playing for england but that doesn't make him a bad player. maybe he needs a change of club but i cannot see much ambition by leaving one mediocre club for another.woodgate has done a good job on him.
    in the present climate if wayne bridge is worth £12 million then downing is also, maybe more.

    From david7metcalfe, on Mon 5 Jan 5:18PM

  20. let downing go whats he do during a match,lee cattermole the type boro need not players who have a5 minute spell in 90

    From Frank, on Mon 5 Jan 5:14PM
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