Brighton lead race for Middlesbrough ace Stewart Downing on free transfer after he is axed by Garry Monk
The Premier League new boys have moved first to try and land the ex-England international
BRIGHTON are leading the race to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing.
The Premier League new boys have moved first to try and land the ex-England international, who has been told he can leave the Riverside.
Despite having two years left on his contract, Boro will let Downing go on a free - making him an attractive proposition for Chris Hughton's Seagulls.
Downing, 34, will assess all his options before choosing his next club, with the MLS also a possibility.
New boss Garry Monk has already started to reshape his squad after less than a fortnight in the job, and he does not see a long-term role for Downing.
As a result he has told the 32-year-old, who returned to his home-town club in a £7million move from West Ham in July 2015, he can go.
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Sources on Teesside have insisted that the impending split is entirely amicable and the midfielder is sure to have admirers, as he did in January when he was linked with a loan move to Crystal Palace.
Downing’s return to the Riverside Stadium was hailed as a coup, but he fell out of favour with former head coach Aitor Karanka as his reign drew to a close.
The ex-England international has made 249 appearances for the club over two spells, and will go down as a fan-favourite for his service.