West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing looks finally set to leave the club as a summer switch to Middlesbrough edges closer after entering talks with the player.
The England international winger is reportedly keen for a move back to the North East, and former club Middlesbrough as hoping to conclude a deal for the player by the end of the week, reports ITV.
Newcastle and Sunderland were also looking to recruit the homesick 30-year-old midfielder but were unwilling to meet West Ham’s demands for the versatile playmaker.
It’s claimed that Middlesbrough are prepared to offer West Ham £5m up front for Downing, with some undisclosed add ons to the deal totalling a value of £7m, and will give the winger a £55k-a-week wage packet to drop down a level into the Championship and help guide their promotion push.
It’s unclear what Downing’s role in the squad will be next season, having seen new arrival Dimitri Payet seemingly take his place in the starting XI for the foreseeable future.
