Downing rubbishes speculation

England star once again plays down transfer rumours

Last updated: 28th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Downing rubbishes speculation

Downing: Rumours just hearsay

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Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has once again spoken up to quash yet more transfer speculation surrounding him.

The 24-year-old thought he had put an end to the near constant speculation about his future when he signed a five-year deal to stay at his hometown club in February.

But he is once again at the centre of the transfer window gossip after it was this week rumoured that Tottenham are putting together a bid in the region of £11million.

And once again, it has fallen to the England international to reiterate his commitment to Boro.

European ambition

Downing said: "I signed a long-term deal last season. My only aim is to try to get into Europe with Middlesbrough.

"There is always going to be speculation about players and clubs, not only me. You have just got to black it out.

"If you concentrate on what the press are saying your form might dip. I will only concentrate on playing well for Middlesbrough."

Reassurances like that will always be welcomed by managers, but, far from seeing the constant speculation as a threat, Boro boss Gareth Southgate sees it as a back-handed compliment.

Healthy

"It doesn't bother me," Southgate said. "It is a good sign that if we are doing well, people will speculate about our players or want to buy them.

"We couldn't sell a player three years ago so I think that is healthy.

"We have to accept as we move towards January clubs will be looking for players.

"We want to build on the squad we have got if we can.

"If someone was to offer £30million I could say something different, but we want to keep our best players, that is for certain."