PREMIER LEAGUE new-boys Brighton are hoping to persuade Stewart Downing to move to the south coast after Garry Monk made it clear to the winger he can leave Middlesbrough on a free transfer.

Monk has been quick to flex his muscles in the Boro hot-seat by informing the homegrown Downing that he is not part of his plans after taking over at the Riverside Stadium.

The 32-year-old wide-man, who moved from West Ham two years ago, will now actively look at his options, although he does not have to move anywhere because he has two years remaining on his lucrative contract.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton is an admirer of his and is looking to add Premier League experience to his squad ahead of a first season in the top-flight after promotion in May.

The prospect of landing Downing on a free transfer appeals, as it enables Brighton, or any interested club, to be in a stronger position to afford to offer competitive wages.

Downing also has the option of going over to the United States to take the next step in his career, and that has appealed to him in the past. Such opportunities arose in January but nothing came of it and he remained at the Riverside.

The bottom line is Downing, though, does not have to leave if the deal is not right for him because of the contract he still has at the Riverside.

There are a further two years to run on the terms he agreed when he moved from West Ham for £5.5m in the summer of 2015.

Under the terms of that move it was reported Downing would receive a pay increase if a Premier League return was secured and it was, so he will be the highest paid player still at Middlesbrough following relegation.

Downing would be within his rights to dig his heels in if a move didn’t suit all parties, although he is understood to have been impressed with how Monk dealt with the situation – and it was a very amicable discussion.

After being told he can leave for nothing, an agreement may need to be reached over the remaining term of his contract, unless an interested club is willing to help the move along.

Downing will be looking to make a move that will enable him to keep playing first team football. Both Crystal Palace and Sunderland showed an interest in the recent past.

Both Palace and Sunderland, however, have since had changes on the managerial front, while Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce was also a fan of his earlier in his career.

Downing, who had been looking forward to working under Monk after his fall-out with Aitor Karanka last season, has made 249 appearances for Middlesbrough during two spells and he is due to return to pre-season training with the rest of the squad next week ahead of the return to the Championship.

Monk has been quick to make his mark ahead of holding his first training session and informing a popular figure in the dressing room like Downing shows he will not be afraid to make the big decisions.

The new Middlesbrough boss, who, as revealed in The Northern Echo yesterday, has agreed to give goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos a one-year extension with an option of a further year, will make more changes to his playing staff in the days and weeks ahead.

There will be player sales, although chairman Steve Gibson is happy to back Monk’s judgement and keep the players the new manager wants. He also hopes to bring in Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga among others.

The Middlesbrough boss has appointed his backroom staff. Steve Agnew, the club’s current assistant manager, is not expected to be part of Monk’s team, while Jonathan Woodgate’s future is unclear. He could still be offered a role, even if it is not with the first team, just months after he left his scouting job at Liverpool.

Monk has brought in James Beattie and David Adams as first team coaches, Daryl Flahavan as his goalkeeper coach as a replacement for Leo Percovich and then Sean Rush and Ryan Needs will front up sports science positions.

His first game in charge of Middlesbrough will be at Mansfield on Wednesday, July 19 at 7.30pm. Three days later he will take the team to League One’s Rochdale at 3pm on Saturday, July 22.

Those two will be followed by a home friendly against as yet unnamed opposition at the Riverside provisionally scheduled for Saturday, July 29.