“Downing won’t leave:” Middlesbrough boss Southgate

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate told press on Tuesday that winger Stewart Downing will be staying at the club despite recent transfer rumours.

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly showed interest in the 24-year-old, but Southgate is very clear about the possibility of the playing making a move to London.

“He’s not a player we’re looking to leave and we’re not looking to lose our better players, that’s key for us.

“We’re not in a position where we want to sell our players, especially to teams that are close to us,” he added.

If Middlesbrough receive a bid from a bigger team, the club might want to take it into consideration: “We’ll worry about that scenario as and when it happens.”