Downing set to hand in transfer request to force through Reds move

Stewart Downing is set to hand in a transfer request as he attempts to force through his move to Liverpool.

The England winger is closing in on the switch to Anfield as he bids to follow Ashley Young out of Aston Villa.

He has been the subject of summer interest from Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, but Villa's £19million asking price has put a block on negotiations.

Liverpool are refusing point blank to do business at that price, and have already looked at alternatives in the form of Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia and Dimitri Payet of St Etienne.

Downing, 26, realises the onus is now on him to revive the potential transfer, by making clear his desire to leave.

It is not a new tactic for the player, who submitted a formal transfer request when a player at Middlesbrough, and eventually provoked his £12million move to Villa Park.

Now he is faced with the same situation, after refusing to accept the offer of a new contract which has been put on the table by the Midlands club.

MirrorFootball understands Villa would like to keep Downing but reluctantly accept they may have to sell because they need to help boost new boss Alex McLeish's transfer budget.

Darren Bent's shock £24m move to Villa Park in January was financed by cash expected from the anticipated sale of Young and McLeish would use funds from Downing's departure to bolster his squad with a new keeper and centre-back as he is happy with his attack.

McLeish has several targets, including two from former club Birmingham who are demanding £10m for keeper Ben Foster and £12m for stopper Scott Dann.

Downing, who has 27 caps, has two years left on his contract at Villa but has refused to pen a new deal.

His agent told Randy Lerner in an end of season meeting he was interested in joining Liverpool and Villa are keen to avoid a repeat of the drawn-out transfer sagas surrounding Gareth Barry and James Milner in successive summers.

Liverpool are also attempting to persuade Blackpool to part with Charlie Adam, and talks will continue this weekend as Director of Football Damien Comolli meets Tangerines chairman Karl Oyston to thrash out a fee acceptable to both parties.

Dalglish will finance the moves by cutting much of the deadwood at Anfield, and he is hoping to tie up deals for Raul Meireles and David Ngog within the next week.

Source: Daily Mirror

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