Stewart Downing is expected to hand in a transfer request to his club Middlesbrough on Monday, according to reports.
The England international is has been linked with a switch to Tottenham White Hart Lane and following Boro’s rejection of a “derisory” £6 million offer from Spurs, Downing is expected to ask for a move.
Downing signed a five-year contract last February but Boro boss Gareth Southgate will be reluctant to stand in the player’s way should the winger ask to leave.
However, it is understood any formal transfer request will be rejected by Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson.
“I can confirm we have received an offer from Spurs for Stewart Downing and I can also confirm we have rejected that offer,” Gibson said. “I’ve spoken to Daniel Levy and told him categorically that their interest is not welcome.
“I’ve also told him 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. We’ve got a talented group of players and it’s time for us to knuckle down and focus on the job in hand. As far as we’re concerned, this is now an end to the matter.”
On Sunday, Southgate claimed Downing, 24, remained unaffected by speculation over his future.
The Boro boss said: “Stewart played in the middle of the park for us on Monday night (at Manchester United) and I think it has given him something else to focus on. It has given him a freshness and I think it gave us a bit more creativity.”
