Stewart Downing has shocked Aston Villa by refusing to sign a contract extension at the club, leaving several other Premier League sides scenting blood in the water. Metaphorical blood, not actual blood. Downing, who has had a superb time at Aston Villa after recovering from a foot injury midway through the 2009/10 season, has two years left on his deal.
Aston Villa Transfer Rumors: Stewart Downing Refuses Contract Extension
I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal and that my agent [Struan Marshall] had a recent meeting with our chief executive [Paul Faulkner]. However, I am 26 and at a major crossroads in my career so I won’t be committing to a new deal at the moment.
As he's refusing to sign, the England winger may be available for bidders, although he won't come cheap by any means. He cost Villa £ 12M when he joined from Middlesbrough in 2009, so the team will probably be seeking at least that much, and they're also facing serious interest in another of their stars in Ashley Young.
Liverpool, apparently, are interested in both Young and Downing, and Manchester United are also believed to be int he bidding for Young. It may be a rough summer for the Villa faithful, especially as this news comes just weeks after Downing expressed his happiness and desire to stay with the club. Whoops.
For more on Aston Villa, check out SB Nation’s Villa blog 7500 to Holte.
See More:
