Crystal Palace transfer news: Sam Allardyce eyes a reunion with Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing
Winger emerges as top target for Eagles after Boro make him available for loan move
CRYSTAL PALACE are leading the chase to sign Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing on loan.
Sam Allardyce is plotting a reunion with his former West Ham playmaker to help inject fresh attacking impetus into his struggling Eagles side.
The 32-year-old is rated highly by Big Sam and has emerged as one of his top targets after being made available by Boro boss Aitor Karanka.
Ex-England star Downing is also being chased by sides in America and China, although he has ruled out any potential move to the Championship.
He produced some of the best form in his career under Allardyce two seasons ago, leading to an international recall in 2014.
Four other top-flight clubs are also believed to be interested in bringing in the experienced ace.
Downing is in no rush to leave and will consider all options before making a decision on his future despite frustrations over his amount of game time under Karanka.
The former Liverpool man returned to his hometown club from the Hammers in 2015 and played a key role in helping Boro gain promotion to the Premier League last season.
He has slipped down the pecking order at the Riverside since, starting just one game in the last two months, and has now been allowed to leave temporarily to go in search of regular first-team football.
Downing began the campaign impressively, with Karanka saying he “belongs in the Premier League”.
Last month, however, he said the veteran had “missed something tactically” when asked to explain the star’s absence from his line-up.