MIDDLESBROUGH are waiting to receive the go-ahead to complete a move for Stewart Downing after making a firm bid to take the West Ham United winger back to his hometown club.

It is understood that Boro officials have been in contact with their Upton Park counterparts over the last few of days and an offer worth around £5m was lodged for the 30-year-old.

West Ham have delayed a quick decision, even though they are willing to let him move on this summer following the arrival of Slaven Bilic as head coach. The Hammers could be waiting to line up a further new signing before they accept the offer.

Sunderland, Leicester City and Swansea City have also been keen on the winger, while Newcastle United have been credited with an interest because of his obvious longstanding links with Steve McClaren.

But Boro are the front-runners and he is understood to have a preference to return to Teesside to try to help Middlesbrough back to the Premier League for the first time since 2009.

Provided West Ham accept the offer, Downing will head to the North-East to undergo a medical and to discuss personal terms although there is unlikely to be any major problems.

West Ham have been busy in the summer transfer market, landing Marseille winger Dimitri Payet, Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang and Birmingham keeper Darren Randolph. Bilic still wants more and it could be that he wants to bring in another attacking midfielder before Downing moves on.

In an interview yesterday, West Ham co-chairman David Gold said: "We recognise this is an important season for us and being in Europe we will go the extra mile to ensure we have got the strongest possible squad we can muster.”

Boro, who have been linked with interest in Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy, have their players back for pre-season training on Monday, and forward Luke Williams will not be part of the sessions.

Williams completed a move to Scunthorpe United yesterday for an undisclosed fee and has signed a three-year deal at Glanford Park, where he spent time on loan last season.

The 22-year-old scored twice in six appearances there and Mark Robins, the Iron boss, was keen to make him his biggest summer signing.

Williams was tipped to have a bright future at Boro after Gordon Strachan handed him his first team debut at the age of 16 in 2009. He leaves after 42 appearances for the club, five of which came under Karanka last season.

Williams said: “It's brilliant to have signed. I couldn't be happier. Everyone is raring to get going.

"There are a lot of new faces around the place and people that are only going to help our cause and the push for promotion. I want to carry on where I left off in my last spell here. I really enjoyed myself and managed score and create a few goals as well.”

Emmanuel Ledesma, who was released by Karanka, is to complete a move to Rotherham after completing a medical.