Liverpool fans are looking up with interest here in the Football Transfer Tavern after the latest claim from the Daily Mirror that the Reds could well be set to allow Stewart Downing to leave.
The future of the winger has been unclear for most of the season with him firstly being out of the picture altogether and looking like heading for the exit door then in typical football fashion seeing himself allowed back into the fold and being told by manager Brendan Rodgers that he would not be leaving during the January transfer window.
Now as the summer approaches it seems a change of heart has occurred yet again and the player has been told that he will be allowed to leave – not on loan but for good. Fulham have expressed an interest in the England international but Northern Irishman Rodgers is determined that the player will not be allowed on loan – only agreeing to sell him if the price is right.
The club are also set to allow Jonjo Shelvey to leave along with Sebastian Coates – both at the right price and given the retirement of Jamie Carragher, Rodgers is determined to hold onto 22-year-old Coates until at least two defenders are brought into the club.
He noted: “Seb has been a great support player for the group. Obviously his chances have been very limited. That’s unfortunately how it is sometimes as a defender.
“We will sit down when he comes back for pre-season and take it from there. We have to see what the summer brings.”
