Tottenham not big enough to take Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough

Harry Redknapp has had a £12million bid for Stewart Downing rejected - and been told his club is not successful enough for the England winger to join.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has sent Spurs chief Daniel Levy packing in a firm telephone exchange, during which a hefty bid was lodged for Downing on Saturday afternoon.

Boss Gareth Southgate put the boot in by saying it would be pointless for the player to switch to Spurs, because they are struggling in the League and on the same number of points as Boro.

Gibson is getting tough and fighting Boro's corner - warning Premier League rivals that Downing is not up for grabs, although it is understood the club could not stand in his way if a top-four club came calling.

The player's only option now, if he wants the move, is to risk submitting a transfer request.

A £2.5million bid for Gary O'Neil by Portsmouth has also been rejected, and Mido has been told he will not be released - in the face of interest from Wigan.

Redknapp's bid for Downing has raised hackles at the Riverside. Southgate was confident that he has made the club's position clear during talks with Redknapp a week ago - only for Levy to try and trump him at the weekend.

Gibson said: "I can confirm that we have received an offer from Spurs for Stewart Downing and I can also confirm that we have rejected that offer.

"I've spoken to Daniel Levy and told him categorically that their interest is not welcome. I've also told him that we will not entertain any further offers for Stewart or, for that matter, any other senior member of our squad. The same applies to Tuncay and it also applies to Gary O'Neil.

"I repeat: none of our senior players will be leaving the Riverside Stadium this month. We've got a talented group of players and it's time for us to knuckle down and focus on the job in hand.''

Southgate said: "I think I know where Stewart's heart is. Of course, he wants to play at the highest possible level and I think we've always said that if one of the real big-hitters came in for him it would be difficult for us to stop him. But at this moment in time Tottenham are on the same points as us."

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