According to this source Rafa is very much interested in this Premier League winger, but surely the Spaniard doesn’t need him?!

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MIDDLESBROUGH are ready to spark a three-way scrap for Stewart Downing by selling the England winger in January.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City will fight it out for Downing and if they match Boro’s £12million asking fee, will land the 24-year-old.
Club chiefs have fought off bids from Spurs and Rafa Benitez in the past but Sport of the World understands they are now receptive to a top offer.
Middlesbrough have England Under-21 international Adam Johnson and Marvin Emnes, who they bought in the summer, to replace Downing and feel they can use the money to strengthen other areas of Gareth Southgate’s side.
Downing came close to leaving Boro last year, but at the last minute he signed a new, 32,000-a-week deal to stay with his hometown club.
However he has repeatedly spoken of his desire to one day play for a side with Champions League aspirations and he is set to get his chance.
The left winger’s reputation rose dramatically following his starring role for Fabio Capello’s England against Germany two weeks ago.
The feeling is that Downing has now established himself as an international and this could be the perfect time to sell. (News of the World)

I really don’t understand why the hell Liverpool would be considering a move for this left winger for two reasons. 1) I don’t think Downing is that good a player and 2) Rafa only recently bought a left winger in the form of Albert Riera who has been very impressive since his arrival from Espanyol. It does seem that the Boro man could finally make the move his advisors have been bleating on about for many years now. He could do a good job at either Spurs or Man City but in my view is not top four material and Rafa is far too intelligent a mover in the transfer market than to consider a swoop for Stewart. Do Liverpool believe a move for the England international would make any sense whatsoever?

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