Boro boss insistent Downing ‘not for sale’

10:40am Friday 18th July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

GARETH Southgate has warned potential suitors that Middlesbrough’s England winger Stewart Downing is not for sale.

The 23-year-old penned a new five-year £9m deal at The Riverside in February, but that hasn’t stopped the list of clubs interested in the player growing longer by the week.

Aston Villa are the latest believed to be preparing to firm up their interest, but Southgate has received no offers for the player this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are the only club to have officially bid for Downing – but that was 18 months ago.

Spurs and Everton were both keen last season before the player signed a new deal, with Liverpool and Villa the latest to be linked.

“Stewart is not for sale. We have had no inquiries for him neither would we welcome any,” said Southgate. “He is very much part of our plans here.

“George (Boateng) has gone this week and there might be more comings and goings but it will only be deals that are right for this club and deals at the right value.

“But Stewart Downing is not for sale – it’s as simple as that.”

If any interest converts itself to an official approach, Boro are confident they can persuade the homegrown player to stay.

Southgate believes the club are on an upward curve toward European football and he does not fear clubs that can offer Champions League or UEFA Cup action this season.

One deal expected to be completed before the season starts, however, is Lee Cattermole’s move to Wigan for £3.5m, with Reading’s James Harper expected to move to Teesside to replace him.

Southgate has also reaffirmed his commitment to his two goalkeepers despite Liverpool’s Scott Carson being touted for a move to Teesside.

The Middlesbrough manager assured both Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull they would be competing for the No. 1 jersey and he sees no reason to change that view.

“They (goalkeepers) are both relishing that challenge and it will be fascinating to see which one comes through,” said Southgate.

“There has been lots of speculation – which has been difficult for them – because I’ve promised them the opportunity and they must keep thinking ‘is he bringing someone in?’.

“I’ve been saying to them since the end of last season with Schwarzer gone then they’d get their opportunity.

“Quite frankly I’ve not been offered a goalkeeper over the summer that’s better than either of them.”

Schwarzer himself revealed last night that, despite an offer from Middlesbrough to stay, he felt it was the right time to swap The Riverside for Craven Cottage.

He said: “I had been at Middlesbrough for 11 years and it was an amazing experience for me. Boro made me an offer to stay, but I had decided it was time to move on.

“I needed a new challenge, a new environment and Fulham was a great opportunity.”

■ Middlesbrough send a strong first-team squad to York tonight but Luke Young (hamstring) is unlikely to travel. The club are still waiting to receive international clearance for Marvin Emnes and Tuncay Sanli has been allowed to delay his return to training.