All the latest transfer gossip, rumours and lies

Boro allegedly reject third Downing bid from Spurs
Middlesbrough fans woke up this morning to reports that they had knocked back a £14.5 million bid for wantaway winger Stewart Downing. However, just a few hours later the Teesside club issued a statement denying that they had received a new offer from Spurs, who they have accused of turning the England international’s head.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Even though Downing wants to leave, Boro hold a position of power. He still has four-and-a-half years left on his contract and David Bentley’s latest woeful performance last night shows how desperately Spurs need a natural left winger.

Manchester City and Inter plan an unwanted Brazilian striker swap
Jo joined Manchester City in the summer for £18 million and has contributed just one league goal while Jose Mourinho last month suggested that Adriano needed to move elsewhere because he couldn’t be the “tutor” that the Brazilian striker needed. So what happens when there are two clubs with dispensible Brazilian strikers? They swap them, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Adriano to Manchester City seems like a

Left winger’s old man believes it will be good for his career

Gareth Southgate and Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson are adamant that none of their players will be sold during the January window, but the part-time DJ is one of approximately 6,000 players on Harry Redknapp’s want list. He handed in a transfer request this morning, a decision which may have been influenced by his father, also named Stewart Downing. The Mirror quotes:

“Stewart’s been frustrated since the summer, really.

“When he signed his new contract he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad.

“He feels that the club haven’t matched those expectations. He’s also frustrated that the team is once again struggling in the Premier League.

“Obviously as a Middlesbrough lad, he’s thought long and hard about the decision to hand in a transfer request and he also hopes the fans will understand his reasons for doing so.”

On the surface, Downing’s departure would be a disaster for Middlesbrough, but they would be crazy to refuse an offer that meets their £15m valuation. Rather than haggling with Harry “I love money” Redknapp, perhaps they should get in touch with Manchester City, who have already demonstrated that they are willing to overpay, and will make no attempt to negotiate a price.

All the latest transfer rumours/gossip/lies

On the fifth day of the transfer window, there are more reports about players staying where they are than there are exciting stories of those moving on to bigger and better things. Here are today’s top rumours:

Scott Parker might not join Manchester City
Any West Ham fans that were hoping Manchester City might solve the clubs’ financial problems in one go by paying over the odds could be left disappointed. Last night Sky Sports delivered the exclusive news that Parker would sign for the club withing 48 hours but this morning they have contradicted their own story by claiming that West Ham have told them they will not be selling the midfielder.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Parker is the big name departure that would damage West Ham the least so nobody should blame the board for selling if Manchester City are really willing to pay £12 million.

Stewart Downing won’t be sold either
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has vowed that no star players will leave the club this month following reports that Stewart Downing would submit a transfer request today in an attempt to join Tottenham. Boro have also criticised Spurs and Harry Redknapp