Anfield wide-man set for St James’ Park switch.
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Liverpool are ready to offload England international winger Stewart Downing this summer and are willing to accept as little as £5m for the former Aston Villa man.
The Liverpool Echo claim the Magpies are interested and that the 29 year old’s representatives have been in contact with the St James’ Park side.
Downing cost Liverpool £20m two years ago and after a shocking first term at the club the wide-man showed signs of improvement last term but is perhaps a player Brendan Rodgers is willing to sell to help balance the books ahead of further possible summer additions.
Philippe Coutinho, Iago Aspas, Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe have all been selected ahead of him in the wide attacking roles in recent friendlies and as such Downing may well be set for a season of bench warming at the Anfield side.
Downing is however seemingly keen to stay at the Merseyside club, stating recently;
“I feel settled now,”
“The first year at Liverpool was difficult but once I established myself in the team last season I really enjoyed it.
“That’s why I don’t want to leave. If you are playing with good players in a good team then you don’t want to lose that.”
Downing hails from the North-East and as such could perhaps be tempted by a move to Newcastle United with Alan Pardew keen to improve his attack with moves to bring in Loic Remy and Darren Bent in the pipeline.