TRANSFER NEWS: Middlesbrough rejected a transfer request from England winger Stewart Downing today, hours after getting an improved offer from Tottenham for the ENgland winger which they also turned down. Chief executive Keith Lamb and chairman Steve Gibson are adamant the 24-year will remain at the Riverside but the face a fight from long-time suitors spurs.
Lamb said this afternoon: "We received a written transfer request from Stewart this morning. It was considered before being rejected.
"Prior to receiving the transfer request, we received an improved offer for Stewart from Tottenham.
"We immediately rejected this offer and informed Tottenham that Stewart Downing is not for sale and any further interest they have in the player will not be entertained."
Boro's response comes as no surprise after Lamb, Gibson and manager Gareth Southgate all repeatedly insisted that the Academy graduate is simply not for sale.
However, they now face a task to persuade Downing that he can fulfil his potential the Riverside Stadium after his father, also Stewart, revealed his decision to ask for a move was motivated by his disappointment at the club's lack of ambition since he signed a new five-year deal in February last year.
Downing Snr said: "Stewart's been frustrated since the summer, really.
"When he signed his new contract, he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad.
"He feels that the club haven't matched those expectations. He's also frustrated that the team is once again struggling in the Premier League.
"Obviously as a Middlesbrough lad, he's thought long and hard about the decision to hand in a transfer request and he also hopes the fans will understand his reasons for doing so."
Tottenham have been on Downing's trail for several years and had already had a series of bids turned down, and it remains to be seen whether or not they test Boro's resolve to hang on to the player - or indeed, their patience - by returning once again.
It is understood Spurs' latest offer amounts to in excess of £11million, although the Teessiders value him at closer to £15million.
Boro are currently 17th in the Barclays Premier League table, clear of the drop zone only on goal difference, and Gibson is adamant none of their big names will be sold this month despite interest from various parties in Downing, Tuncay Sanli and Gary O'Neil, among others.
Southgate freely admits he cannot spend in January unless he sells, but while he knows he could raise a sizeable sum by selling his former team-mate to Spurs, replacing him - even with the promising Adam Johnson at his disposal - would not be easy.
In addition, supporters will hope there is not a repeat of the Ayegbeni Yakubu saga two summers ago when the Nigerian was eventually sold to Everton for £11.25million, with no time left to plug the gap he left.
Just how much today's developments have damaged the relationship between club and player, and Downing's rapport with the fans, will unfold over the days and weeks ahead, but will not improve an already tense atmosphere as a difficult season enters a crucial period.
Fellow midfielder O'Neil too is understood to be unsettled after a difficult first season in the north-east, although Boro have rejected suggestions that he too has handed in his own transfer request amid suggestions he could return to Portsmouth.
Lamb said: "We have not received a transfer request from Gary, but if we did receive one it would be rejected, as would any offer from another club.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp insists it is up to Boro to sell or not and has defended his pursuit of both Downey and Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe.
"The chairman (Daniel Levy) has dealt with it. He has gone in there and made an offer," Redknapp said of the Defoe dealing. "I have not gone in for any other players at Portsmouth. I have not made any enquiries there.
"If they don't want to sell him they don't have to."
Redknapp continued on Sky Sports News: "The club made an offer and I know the chairman has made a big offer for him.
"But Middlesbrough are a good club and if the chairman (Steve Gibson) decides he doesn't want to sell him, that's his right to do that and that's the end of that one.
"We can only make an offer and it is up to the clubs if they want to accept it or not."
Arsenalmanager Arsene Wengerwill not be making a winter transfer window swoop for Gokhan Inler.
The Switzerland international was a summer target for the Frenchman when a defensive central midfielder was high on his shopping list.
Mathieu Flamini'ssummer departure to AC Milan has left the Gunners short of steel in the centre of the park, with Wenger still to bring in a replacement.
But while Udinese's Inler was on the manager's radar in the summer, he is no longer a target for the Emirates Stadium outfit.
When asked if he was interested in Inler, Wenger said: "Yes, in the summer. But not any more."
West Haminsist Scott Parkeris not for sale after stories linking him with Manchester City.
The former Chelseamidfielder is one of a number of Hammers stars being linked with a move away from Upton Park.
Reports had suggested City were about to seal a deal worth around £12million for the England international.
But the Hammers have told Sky Sports NewsParker will not be leaving.
