IT IS the time of year again when Gareth Southgate, among others, criticises the month-long transfer window, Harry Redknapp goes mad on the recruitment front and, as usual, Stewart Downing attracts the interest of Tottenham.

The difference this time, however, is that Downing wants to leave. Should he be allowed to or should he be forced to stay?

This is a player, probably the best and most valuable the club has to offer, that signed a five-year contract only 12 months ago.

The argument Middlesbrough would put up would be that Downing should not have signed that improved deal if he was unsure.

But you have got to ask why would Middlesbrough have handed out a five-year contract to a player who had previously outlined an intention to leave.

It is safe, you would imagine, to assume that one of the main reasons for that was because chairman Steve Gibson was acutely aware the club were then in a stronger position to retain their prize asset, and demand a high fee.

The reality, however, is that despite the long-term deal, Downing has now been attracted by a move south to Tottenham. There is now very little Boro can do to change his mind.

This is a month in which Southgate knows he needs to sell players if he wants to tinker with his squad. A squad that lies in deep relegation trouble at the half way stage of the season.

So what is the benefit of keeping a player, a £15m-rated one, in the dressing room when he has repeatedly informed Southgate that he wants to leave.

The football world has accepted, unfortunately, that loyalty has almost disappeared from the game completely. And while there will be those claiming that Downing should stay with the club where he has developed, if he wants to leave he wants to leave. What's the point in keeping him.

Downing is unlikely to go on strike, refuse to play for his club, until he is allowed to leave. He should, though, be granted his wish to leave - not least for the good of the club.

Middlesbrough need players determined to lift Middlesbrough away from the relegation zone and if that means spending the cash raised from Downing's sale then so be it.

Gibson and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy should come to a quick arrangement and get Downing to White Hart Lane.

That would appear to be the best chance Middlesbrough have of climbing away from the bottom three.

True? Or should Southgate et al persist with keeping a wantaway star?