, Burnley monitoring Middlesbrough midfielder’s contract situation

Burnley monitoring Middlesbrough midfielder’s contract situation

As reported on The72 this week, Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has a clause in his contract that will entitle him to a new contract if he starts another Championship fixture.

However, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis and Chairman Steve Gibson may not look to renew Downing’s contract, and could be free to leave the club as early as this transfer window.

According to The Daily Mail, Premier League side Burnley are said to be monitoring the 34-year old’s situation, in the belief they could land the experienced winger for a cut price in their bid to maintain their top flight status.

The options for Downing at the moment are to accept a new contract on reduced wages, to find a new club before his contract expires in the summer, or to be used as a substitute between now and the end of the season.

The midfielder has featured in nearly every game so far this season, but after being first choice for the majority of the campaign, he has now lost his place in the starting eleven, and hasn’t started a league fixture since December, it is unknown whether this is due to the clause in his contract, or if he is just out of favour.

He has played nearly 400 games for his home town club over the course of two spells at Middlesbrough. He was given his debut in 2001 by then-manager Steve McClaren, and went on to make over 200 appearances, before signing for Aston Villa in 2009.

He returned to Teesside in 2015 after mixed success with Villa, Liverpool and West Ham, and featured for the England national side between 2005 and 2014.

Previous Article
, Leeds United injury curse-  has it struck again

Leeds United injury curse- has it struck again

Next Article
, Middlesbrough hold talks with in-demand Sunderland striker

Middlesbrough hold talks with in-demand Sunderland striker

Related Posts