Should Sunderland consider Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing as a replacement for Jeremain Lens as Birmingham move falls through?
Stewart Downing is enduring a frustrating time at Middlesbrough currently, with the midfielder being made to train with the Under-23s development squad.
This comes after a proposed move to Birmingham City fell through, reports the Gazette, and with manager Garry Monk not considering Downing as part of his first team plans, the 33-year-old has been left out in the cold.
Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk.
The former Aston Villa and West Ham United star is a free agent despite having two years to run on his current contract after Monk told him he could leave the club this summer.
So with a switch to the Blues on hold, should Sunderland consider keeping Downing in the North East and adding some experience to a relatively threadbare midfield at the Stadium of Light?
According to the Sunderland Echo, Jeremain Lens is on the verge of completing his move to Besiktas, while the Chronicle has previously outlined fellow winger Wahbi Khazri’s desire to leave the club following their relegation from the Premier League.
Even if Khazri does stay, reinforcements will still be needed and while Downing is no longer the electric force on the wing of his youth, the England international does have plenty of experience playing out wide and also in central midfield.
The one sticking point, however – which was something that could have scuppered Birmingham’s interest – is the Englishman’s high wages, but if he wants first team football away from the Riverside then taking a hit in his pay packet would be sacrifice he would probably have to make.
Stewart Downing of Middlesbrough shoots.
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