Newly promoted Brighton & Hove Albion are assessing their options to plot a deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Stuart Downing. The 32-year-old has been told to look for a new club as new manager Garry Monk doesn’t see him in his plans for the next season.
Downing still has two years left on his contract but Boro will allow him to join any club for free as they don’t want to impose any transfer fee on him. The left midfielder has been with the club since 2015 and helped them achieve a promotion that season.
But he has failed to recollect his form for the Teessiders last season as Boro are back to the Championship once again following a very horrific campaign in the top-flight. Brighton, who got promoted to the top tier after securing an automatic qualification spot, will be very keen to have some experienced player in their side and Downing could definitely help them with that.
The idea of signing the 32-year-old on a free transfer has tempted Seagulls manager Chris Hughton who has been looking to rectify some of the key areas of his side. The Seagulls are weighing an option to offer the player lucrative terms to join their side, provided he completes the transfer for free.
Downing is yet to take a decision on his career and has been assessing multiple options including a move to the Major League Soccer. A number of players have opted to play in USA soil and the Ex-Liverpool midfielder could soon follow the suit.
A boyhood supporter of Boro, he came through the ranks of the club and has made over 300 appearances for the club in two spells. He would love to work with Monk but his chances are set to be curtailed by the new boss who has been given the task to lift Boro back to the Premier League.
Brighton Solly March is one of the highly rated left wingers and Downing’s arrival would throw him a sufficient challenge to nail down a permanent place in the starting lineup.
Sunderland, who were relegated last term are also keeping a tab on the midfielder’s development. The Black Cats need to bolster their team as a number of players are expected to leave the Stadium Of Light this summer.
Downing is currently the highest paid players for Boro and the managerial change seems to have brought down a curtain to his Boro career. He still has the potential to carry on for a few more years and the Seagulls want to take this opportunity to bring the experienced player at the Amex Stadium. So is he the right man?
