1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Stewart Downing

Discussion in 'Newcastle United' started by Albert's Chip Shop, Aug 5, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Albert's Chip Shop

    Albert's Chip Shop Top Grafter
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Messages:
    72,366
    Likes Received:
    37,733
    http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...liverpool-fc-off-load-stewart-downing-5654489

    Liverpool FC are prepared to off-load Stewart Downing at a massive loss with Newcastle United having been told they can sign him for a cut-price £5million.

    The winger's representatives have been contacted by the North East outfit to confirm their interest and find out whether he would be keen on a move to St James' Park.

    Downing, who cost the Reds £20million from Aston Villa two years, has asked for some time to consider his options.

    The 29-year-old had no intention of leaving Anfield after being reassured by Brendan Rodgers earlier in pre-season that he remained part of his plans.

    However, he now intends to hold talks over his future after learning of Liverpool's willingness to sell him on.

    Downing played in Liverpool's opening three friendlies against Preston, Indonesia and Melbourne Victory but has been an unused substitute in the past two games against Thailand and Olympiacos.

    Philippe Coutinho, Iago Aspas, Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe have all been selected ahead of him in the wide attacking roles.

    Downing, who was the subject of interest from West Ham last month, wants to stay put and fight for his place. However, if he's informed he's not going to feature then he will reluctantly agree to a transfer.

    Having battled so hard to establish himself as a first-team regular in the second half of last season, the England international doesn't want to go back to life warming the bench.

    Downing, who has two years left on his contract, was told by Rodgers last November he could leave in the January transfer window but responded by kick-starting his Anfield career and played a key role in Liverpool's revival.

    “I feel settled now,” he said recently. “The first year at Liverpool was difficult but once I established myself in the team last season I really enjoyed it.

    “That's why I don't want to leave. If you are playing with good players in a good team then you don't want to lose that.”

    Newcastle are signing Loic Remy on a season-long loan from QPR and hope to further boost their strikeforce with a deal for Aston Villa's Darren Bent. Toon boss Alan Pardew wants Downing to provide the service for them.

    Downing, who grew up in the North East and started his career at Middlesbrough, will be part of the Liverpool squad who fly to Norway today. Rodgers' side face Valerenga in Oslo tomorrow night.
     
    #1
  2. DannyGooTree

    DannyGooTree Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    594
    Likes Received:
    7
    Thought this could work but just realised he's 29...can't see it!
     
    #2
  3. Albert's Chip Shop

    Albert's Chip Shop Top Grafter
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Messages:
    72,366
    Likes Received:
    37,733
    Forget 'over the line'... The reporter must have been snorting the line.
     
    #3
  4. Darth Tash

    Darth Tash Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    Messages:
    16,276
    Likes Received:
    3,048
  5. Brian Pinas

    Brian Pinas New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2012
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    1
    To be fair, for a fiver it wouldn't be bad business. As long as it's not all up front, and that his wages are consistent with the fee. And when he comes to discuss terms, he has to buy his own lunch.

    Seriously though, it might be an OK buy. He's probably got a bit more left in him than Jonas and can't rely on Marveaux to stay fit... And if he does well, we'll have pulled liverpuddle's pants down again over one of Kenny's crazy buys...
     
    #5
  6. Skylarker

    Skylarker PL High Commissioner

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    Messages:
    49,374
    Likes Received:
    30,813
    Please let this be true, other than the fact we (Liverpool) will take a huge loss, we need him off the wage bill. We've bought players in Downing's position and also have a couple of youngsters pushing hard for that place. Philippe Coutinho, Iago Aspas, Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe have all been selected ahead of him in the wide attacking roles, during pre-season.

    For the right club Downing has definitely got something to give - Are Newcastle that club? Must be worth a 5mil gamble, it's low risk as he's a PL player and when he's on his game he aint too shoddy.

    P.S. Well done on the Remy loan deal, nice bit of business - as we know he'll get you a hatful of goals <ok>
     
    #6
  7. magicbus

    magicbus Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    542
    Likes Received:
    21
    Would rather we go for Sinclair or Ince who may cost a few mill more but can give us a few more years than Downing can.
     
    #7
  8. Stevie T

    Stevie T Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    840
    Likes Received:
    33
    Hope this is bs. Downing is the past, ince or sinclair are the future.
     
    #8
  9. Albert's Chip Shop

    Albert's Chip Shop Top Grafter
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Messages:
    72,366
    Likes Received:
    37,733
    I've never rated him
     
    #9
  10. abc CissesCurriedGoat abc

    abc CissesCurriedGoat abc Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2011
    Messages:
    2,129
    Likes Received:
    114
    5 pound bid for Downing? Hope we can pull it off, would be a coup
     
    #10

  11. Heed

    Heed well known cheat

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,734
    Likes Received:
    2,949
    A bit too inconsistent for my liking, but, for 5m could be worth a punt.

    If we to buy him, I would expect that he would play, unlike Sinclair, who would just do what Sinclair does best and sits on his a*** collecting his wages.

    Presumably Downing would be competing with Jonas.

    Ince is one I would be tempted with, but, he isn't going to be first choice and is more the future.
     
    #11
  12. Albert's Chip Shop

    Albert's Chip Shop Top Grafter
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Messages:
    72,366
    Likes Received:
    37,733
    I'd love to see Ince come to us.
     
    #12
  13. Beardsley's Rancid Sack

    Beardsley's Rancid Sack Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2011
    Messages:
    3,686
    Likes Received:
    927
    Never, ever rated Downing. Don't want him here at all.
     
    #13
  14. Keith Fit

    Keith Fit Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2012
    Messages:
    2,074
    Likes Received:
    122
    Ince is coming, I have no doubt. For all he's a berk, David Craig said two players would 100% rock up on Tyneside. He's halfway there, as he already said Remy, and he said - with even more certainty - that Ince would be the other.
     
    #14
  15. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2011
    Messages:
    37,088
    Likes Received:
    12,616
    Decent player but not for me at 29. Ince would be a much better deal.
     
    #15
  16. Hugh Briss

    Hugh Briss Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2011
    Messages:
    10,011
    Likes Received:
    833
    Downing is naturally left-footed and would be a decent player to have in the squad.

    I would buy him for £5m, but I can't see him wanting to come here - frankly, we're miles behind Liverpool in terms of quality play - why would he come?

    He wouldn't be guaranteed first-team football, so can't see this one taking off.
     
    #16
  17. Darren Peacock’s Ponytail

    Darren Peacock’s Ponytail Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Messages:
    30,694
    Likes Received:
    20,333
    Downing at 29 for £5M smacks of Damien Duff for me and look at how that ended for us
     
    #17
  18. ronson333

    ronson333 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2011
    Messages:
    219
    Likes Received:
    5
    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...le-united-distance-themselves-stewart-5668714

    Newcastle United are understood to have distanced themselves from talk linking them with out of favour Liverpool winger Stewart Downing.

    Reports from out sister paper the Liverpool Echo correctly reported that the former Middlesbrough man has been offered to United and other Premier League clubs for a cut price £5million.

    However, the Chronicle understands that United have played down the approach as they concentrate bringing in another striker.

    United were continuing discussions to bring in Bafetimbi Gomis from Lyon while talks are also still in progress the bring in Darren Bent.

    Gomis is thought to be the preferred choice but Bent could well be an option and is a player that Alan Pardew would love to bring to Newcastle after working with the England international at Charlton Athletic.

    With Newcastle already having Sylvain Marveaux, Jonas, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yoan Gouffran and Hatem Ben Arfa able to operate on the left hand side, the offer of Downing is not thought to be something that is seriously being considered at this moment at St James' Park.

    Downing's wages of £80,000 per week would also prove to be a major stumbling block with his salary way above the average at United.
     
    #18
  19. Seabass

    Seabass Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2011
    Messages:
    4,174
    Likes Received:
    2,343
    I think he could be a good signing for someone but if I look at our squad I don't really see how he fits in with how we are going to play. No for me.
     
    #19
  20. RobEllious

    RobEllious Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2011
    Messages:
    3,062
    Likes Received:
    1,759
    Narr, we don't even have a great header of the ball making one of his few abilties a dam sight more ineffectual. Think Sinclair or Ince fits the ethos we seem to be looking for, a pace that has been sorely missing in our team.
     
    #20
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page