Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat is plotting an audacious swoop for West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing, reports the Northern Echo.
Advocaat, who has just signed a new deal with the Black Cats after helping them avoid relegation last season, wants to add some Premier League experience to his midfield, and has identified the England international as an ideal signing.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a bounce-back season at West Ham which came as a result of a move from the wings into an attacking midfield role spearheading the diamond, and it saw Downing have his best goalscoring season for five years, as well as recording eight assists.
It’s said Slaven Bilic is ready to listen to offers for Downing, who is one of the club’s top earners following his move from Liverpool, due to the imminent arrival of French attacker Dimitri Payet from Marseille in a £14m deal.
It’s also rumoured that Newcastle, managed by Downing’s former boss with Middlesbrough & England Steven McClaren, as well as Championship side ‘Boro could hold interest in bringing the versatile midfielder back to the North East, but have yet to make their interest concrete.
