GASTON RAMIREZ was in Italy putting the finishing touches to a move to Sampdoria last night, while Garry Monk was left to concede it is difficult to predict what the future holds for hometown winger Stewart Downing.

Downing has been completely away from the first team picture since Birmingham City failed to reach an agreement over the terms of a move that would have seen him join on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, has been told to train with the Under-23s as Monk works with the players in his plans for this Saturday’s Championship opener at Wolves.

The Middlesbrough manager, who has not fallen out with the player and been honest with his intentions from the start, has not ruled out turning to him in the weeks ahead if he still hasn’t completed a move away from Teesside.

But Downing does not figure in his thinking. Monk is keen to take the squad in a different direction, which has led to the former England wide-man being asked to train with the younger players.

Monk said: “While the players are here and they are under this roof, it’s for me to assess and have those players ready if needed. Of course, everyone is part of that. It can be difficult at times with training and numbers and what you need and you are trying to focus on.

“Some will be more part of that than others. But you never say never in football. That’s how it is. Of course there’s more priorities in terms of who you are trying to work with and the focus on the squad.”

It was the first time Monk has spoken since it emerged Downing has not been training with the first team having been told he can leave for nothing.

Despite the interest from Birmingham and Spanish side Girona, though, there is not a deal close. Harry Redknapp, the City boss, indicated yesterday Downing still interests him and the deal is not ‘dead’.

Monk said: “I’ve spoken to all the players in terms of what we have to do with the squad. Of course there’s been a good bit of speculation and at this moment of time that speculation is just speculation. There have been talks and stuff like that.

“But as it is, Stewie is at the club. My job is to shape the squad how I need it to be shaped. I’ve spoken to all the players and they all know their own situation. I keep those conversations between us because I think it’s the right thing to do.

“Stewie knows exactly where he stands at the club. We are working with him to try to make sure it’s the best possible situation for him.”

Asked to explain why Downing has been training with the Under-23s, Monk said: “Only in terms of how we are training and the numbers that I need for training.

“But he has been involved in the first team as well throughout pre-season. The conversation I had with Stewie will remain between me and him, from my side of it. There are problems there.”

Downing’s frustrations have grown with the new season set to start this weekend and he is no nearer to knowing when and where he will kick a ball competitively again. There has previously been interest in him from the United States.

Monk still hopes Downing will move on as he looks to make more adjustments to the Middlesbrough squad as he looks to get the team playing in the style he wants. Ramirez should be the first departure, and there could be more.

He was at Sampdoria yesterday to undergo a medical and finalise a switch, having already seen a possible move to Real Betis and Nantes fall through. The Uruguayan international’s future has been the subject of plenty of debate since January when he was angling for a move to Leicester City.

Monk, who will allow youngster Harry Chapman to join Blackburn on loan, is still pursuing new signings of his own, with Birmingham defender Ryan Shotton known to be on the radar. Liverpool forward Sheyi Ojo remains in his sights.

There will be no more new faces before Saturday’s opener at Wolves. Monk said: “There are still ongoings in terms of recruitment and outgoings as well. We have done the bulk and we are happy with that.

“It’s about getting the squad as balanced as possible. It’s about getting the numbers as they have to be. It is about recruiting the quality that can add to the squad and there is more to be done on the outgoings as well.”

Middlesbrough have already knocked back offers from West Brom for defender Ben Gibson, who looks set to stay at his hometown club unless the valuation is met this month.

Monk said: “From day one, it was very clear we don’t have to sell any player. I said all along it would have to be an extraordinary offer for any player to leave and we don’t want our important players to leave. We are clear on that.

“We have to be focused on that. We have not given it a second thought. Ben is fine, training well, determined and has this club in his heart, looking forward to the season ahead.”

Monk, who has spent around £45m on new players so far, is satisfied with how his first pre-season has gone since leaving Leeds and taking over at the Riverside.

And, after reporting a fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to Molineux, he said: “We have been working in a good way, have had a healthy pre-season, it takes time to implement new ideas, new players, what’s gone on before, the confidence levels before, bringing the confidence levels back up. But I am really looking forward to the season ahead.

“It has been a really positive summer in terms of recruitment and we have tried to get a good balance, we have moved a lot of players out. We had to do that.

“I spoke with the owner before I came, he knew where I wanted to go and the shape I wanted. We have tried to recruit well and get the balance right. We have tried to maximise both ways. We have done the bulk of the work and we have to keep going.”