Tottenham offer David Bentley to Middlesbrough in swap for Stewart Downing

Tottenham are set to offer David Bentley to Middlesbrough in a swap deal for Stewart Downing.

England winger Downing has had a transfer request rejected after Boro turned down a £10 million-plus offer from Spurs for him.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is keen to bring in a natural leftsided wide player to add balance to his team.

He tried Bentley, a £15m summer signing from Blackburn, in the role against Burnley in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final last week.

But with Burnley 1-0 up at half-time, Redknapp withdrew him and sent on Jamie O'Hara, who made one goal and scored another as Tottenham won 4-1.

However, Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has insisted he wants to keep Downing on Teesside.

He added: "Our relationship is terrific and I've said I want him to go and achieve everything hewants to in his career.

"But at this moment that must be here. Tottenham are in the same situation as us and it doesn't make any sense for us to sell our best players to them."

Meanwhile, Redknapp has added Reading's Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt to Tottenham's list of targets.

The Spurs boss is considering Hunt as an alternative to Downing if a deal cannot be agreed.

Hunt, 28, has a £5m release clause in his Reading contract and is desperate to return to thePremier League after the Royals' relegation last season.

Reading director of football Nicky Hammond said: "Hunty's situation is well publicised.

"There have been no offers and we certainly don't want to lose him. I am hopeful we can keep everyone."