Birmingham City have become the favourites with Sky Bet to sign up Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing this summer. A few weeks ago it was revealed that new manager Garry Monk was happy for the former England international to leave the Riverside Stadium.
Although he has been told that he can go, Downing has travelled with the rest of the Boro squad that has travelled to Portugal for a pre-season training camp. The likes of Brighton & Hove Albion have also been linked with the player, along with a whole host of other potential suitors.
Downing’s former club Aston Villa made an unsuccessful bid to re-sign the player on loan during the January transfer window, according to the Birmingham Mail.
Blues boss Harry Redknapp doesn’t contain too many wide players in his squad at present. Whilst there is the likes of Jacques Maghoma and Kerim Frei, he could surely do with an additional option. David Cotterill is still on the books too, but he ended last season out on loan. Speaking after their 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to German second-tier side Union Berlin, Redknapp revealed that talks to add to his squad are ongoing,
“We have got plenty of irons in the fire, we are hoping to make some signings in the next week or so.
“The closer you get to the deadline prices get cheaper.
“But we have got targets, I am hoping this week maybe we can get a player or two in.
“There’s a good chance we will get something over the line while we are out here (Austrian training camp).”
