Stewart Downing will be allowed to leave Middlesbrough if the Teesiders are dumped into The Championship.
Boro Chairman Steve Gibson has assured the winger there will be no repeat of the hardine 'no sale' stance of recent years if Gareth Southgate's side get relegated.
That will alert Spurs and Liverpool to a possible £15m summer swoop, with Harry Redknapp most likely to revive the bid which was turned down in January.
Downing put in a transfer request in the last transfer window which was immediately rejected by Boro.
But his loyalty despite successive years of interest from Premier League club's has been noted by Gibson, who recognises it will be impossible to keep the player in the event of the drop.
The 24-year-old has ambitions to play in Europe, and to cement a place in the England side. He knows he can't afford to fall down a division if his career is to progess.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was tracking the winger last summer, but opted for the cheaper Albert Riera from Espanyol.
Riera has proven a successful buy, which may thwart Downing's preference for a move to Anfield. Spurs' Redknapp remains as keen as ever to recruit the wide man, however.
But while Downing's future looks to be away from the North East, Boro will take a tougher line on the rest of Southgate's squad and block any possibility of a mass player exodus.
That means youngsters such as David Wheater won't be allowed to leave The Riverside, regardless of the club's plight.
Wheater has attracted as much interest as Downing this season, despite Boro's woes, but Gibson will make it clear the club's up-and-coming stars are not for sale under any circumstances.
Boro Chairman Steve Gibson has assured the winger there will be no repeat of the hardine 'no sale' stance of recent years if Gareth Southgate's side get relegated.
That will alert Spurs and Liverpool to a possible £15m summer swoop, with Harry Redknapp most likely to revive the bid which was turned down in January.
Downing put in a transfer request in the last transfer window which was immediately rejected by Boro.
But his loyalty despite successive years of interest from Premier League club's has been noted by Gibson, who recognises it will be impossible to keep the player in the event of the drop.
The 24-year-old has ambitions to play in Europe, and to cement a place in the England side. He knows he can't afford to fall down a division if his career is to progess.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was tracking the winger last summer, but opted for the cheaper Albert Riera from Espanyol.
Riera has proven a successful buy, which may thwart Downing's preference for a move to Anfield. Spurs' Redknapp remains as keen as ever to recruit the wide man, however.
But while Downing's future looks to be away from the North East, Boro will take a tougher line on the rest of Southgate's squad and block any possibility of a mass player exodus.
That means youngsters such as David Wheater won't be allowed to leave The Riverside, regardless of the club's plight.
Wheater has attracted as much interest as Downing this season, despite Boro's woes, but Gibson will make it clear the club's up-and-coming stars are not for sale under any circumstances.
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