Downing's agent attacks Middlesbrough

By European Football
July 5 2005

Stewart Downing's agent has hit out at Middlesbrough for failing to offer the 20 year old a decent contract, Downing who was a target for Spurs, earlier in the summer, has come up through the ranks, and this is where his agent believes the problem lies, stating:

"There comes a stage, once you have proved your ability, that you must be on a par with people brought in from outside.

"We are not being ridiculous, we just want some of the ground to be bridged."

"We are not asking for Stewart to be on a par with the very, very top earners, we are just asking for the same as what people of the same calibre are on.

"I have not heard anything back from Middlesbrough. I am just waiting to hear from them.

"We have had a couple of meetings and two different offers have been made, which were not suitable, and Middlesbrough have related to me that they would not be increasing their offer.

"The ball is very much in their court now."