HITC Sport understands that Steve Gibson doesn’t want to sell him, with Aston Villa, Derby and Fulham all interested.
Stewart Downing has been told that he can leave Middlesbrough on-loan this month, HITC Sport understands.
Downing re-signed for his hometown club last summer and helped them win promotion back to the Premier League, the first time he had dropped out of the top-flight in his career.
However, Boro boss Aitor Karanka has sometimes questioned the England international’s ability to fit into his system and he has subsequently dropped him in recent months.
The 32-year-old has been limited to just one start in two months, and he is keen for regular action – but chairman Steve Gibson is not believed to be keen on a permanent departure – having worked so hard to get him from West Ham United in 2015.
Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing
HITC Sport understands Downing is not very keen to drop down to the Championship, something he has only done once in his career – and that was last term with Boro, despite strong interest from the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham and Derby County.
Boro are believed to have fielded several enquiries from Premier League rivals, and depending on the deal they would be willing to let him join a rival until the end of the season.
There is also some interest from abroad, which Downing would consider on a temporary basis.
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