London – English Premier League Middlesbrough said on Monday that Stewart Downing will not be leaving the club and that none of their senior players would be sold in the transfer window.

England winger Downing reportedly handed in a transfer request, just a year after signing a new five-year contract, and Tottenham Hotspur have made a bid for him, which was rejected.

Manager Gareth Southgate said Downing would be staying at the north-east club.

“In the situation we are in right now, we don’t feel it would be right to let Stewart go,” Southgate told Middlesbrough’s official website.

“He is naturally frustrated that we have not done better than we have so far this season but his heart is with Middlesbrough and there is nothing he would want more than to see this club do well.”

Downing’s frustration has been at the results of the club this season which have seen them slip to one place above the relegation zone.

But Southgate said: “I’m not under pressure to sell any player. The only way anyone will leave is if we feel it is in the best interests of this football club.”

Spurs have been monitoring the progress of Downing over recent weeks but Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson said they should stop trying to prise him away from the Riverside.

“I can confirm that we have rejected an offer from Spurs for Stewart Downing,” Gibson said. “I have categorically told Daniel Levy (the Spurs chairman) that their interest is not welcome, nor will we entertain any further offers for Stewart.

“Nor will we will entertain offers for any other senior members of our squad. None of our senior players will be leaving the club this month.

“As far as we are concerned, this is now the end of the matter. We’ve got a talented group of players and it’s time for us to knuckle down and focus on the job in hand.” (dpa)