STEWART DOWNING LOOKS likely to become the second high-profile exit from Aston Villa this summer, as the midlands club are reported to have accepted a £20 million offer for the winger.
Despite noises from within the club- including from new manager Alex McLeish- that Downing was not for sale, the England international looks set to join new recruits Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam on Merseyside. A statement on the Liverpool website read:
“Liverpool have now been granted permission to discuss personal terms with the player and arrange a medical.”
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It looked likely that Villa would be forced to sell Downing when he stated his intention not to sign a new contract with the club while on duty with the England team last month. Villa were left in no doubt yesterday after Downing handed in a transfer request, according to the Guardian.
The move will make Downing the fourth England midfielder to leave the club in the past two years, alongside Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and James Milner. Fans will be doubly disappointed as the 26-year-old pledged his future to the club as recently as April before making a dramatic U-turn.
Liverpool fans will no doubt be looking forward to Downing providing plenty of crosses for Andy Carroll, the £35 million target-man they purchased in the January transfer window. According to whoscored.com, Downing averaged 6.4 crosses per game last season; on a par with Nani and second in the Premier League only to Leighton Baines (6.6).
Villa are looking at Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia in an effort to replace Downing on the flank and are also said to be close to signing Irish goalkeeper Shay Given from Manchester City for around £4 million.
Downing given green light to talk to Liverpool after fee agreed
STEWART DOWNING LOOKS likely to become the second high-profile exit from Aston Villa this summer, as the midlands club are reported to have accepted a £20 million offer for the winger.
Despite noises from within the club- including from new manager Alex McLeish- that Downing was not for sale, the England international looks set to join new recruits Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam on Merseyside. A statement on the Liverpool website read:
It looked likely that Villa would be forced to sell Downing when he stated his intention not to sign a new contract with the club while on duty with the England team last month. Villa were left in no doubt yesterday after Downing handed in a transfer request, according to the Guardian.
The move will make Downing the fourth England midfielder to leave the club in the past two years, alongside Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and James Milner. Fans will be doubly disappointed as the 26-year-old pledged his future to the club as recently as April before making a dramatic U-turn.
Liverpool fans will no doubt be looking forward to Downing providing plenty of crosses for Andy Carroll, the £35 million target-man they purchased in the January transfer window. According to whoscored.com, Downing averaged 6.4 crosses per game last season; on a par with Nani and second in the Premier League only to Leighton Baines (6.6).
Villa are looking at Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia in an effort to replace Downing on the flank and are also said to be close to signing Irish goalkeeper Shay Given from Manchester City for around £4 million.
Ryan Babel seemed to tweet his opinion in the deal: “Downing with my number? #smh” (shaking my head – we googled it).
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