DOWNING WANTS 'BROUGH RETURN

The West Ham winger has been the subject of interest from his boyhood club in recent weeks and is now keen to leave Upton Park should the Hammers sanction a sale

Stewart Downing has his heart set on a move to Championship club Middlesbrough, Goal understands.

West Ham are, however, reluctant to allow the England winger to leave Upton Park until they find a suitable replacement in the summer window, with the likes of Andros Townsend and Seydou Doumbia having been linked.

As exclusively revealed by Goal, Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough have put together a staggering wage offer, worth around £70,000-a-week, in an attempt to lure Downing back to Teesside.

The former Liverpool player began his career at Boro, remaining with the club for eight years and making over 200 senior appearances before joining Aston Villa in 2009.

Sources have confirmed to Goal that Downing is now keen to return to his boyhood club, despite the fact that he would have to drop down a division to do so, though West Ham are ready to play hardball.

The Hammers maintain that they are yet to receive a satisfactory offer from Middlesbrough, and are keen to recruit a replacement for Downing before allowing him to leave.

Downing enjoyed an excellent season in 2014-15, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in 37 Premier League appearances.

A resolution may not come quickly, however, as West Ham are currently attempting to buy a centre-back as a priority, with Juventus' Angelo Ogbonna the club's primary target.

Boro boss Karanka, meanwhile, has hinted at imminent new arrivals, telling reporters on Monday: "We will have some new players soon and I want to keep everyone excited."

Goal understands that Sunderland and Leicester City are still monitoring Downing's situation but Boro remain favourites to land the 30-year-old midfielder.