Spurs re-launch bid to lure away Downing

Last updated : 06 July 2006 By Editor

According to new reports, Spurs are preparing a £7.5million bid for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.

Gareth Southgate, the recently installed Riverside coach could be tempted to part with the youngster who was part of England's World Cup squad in Germany this summer.

The Daily Mirror says Martin Jol is confident he can lure highly-rated Downing from Boro now Steve McClaren has left for England.

Meanwhile, a report in The Sun says that McClaren wants Terry Venables to join him in the new England coaching set-up in an advising capacity.

The report goes on to suggest that McClaren knows he wasn't the popular choice for the job in the first place and so Venables' involvement could work in his favour.

The FA nominations committee appointed McClaren on May 4th, after the decision to let Sven Goran Eriksson leave after this summer's World Cup. McClaren was assistant to Eriksson during the last three major tournaments, since October 2000, excluding a period between October 2002 and May 2004.

Venables' pals in the Press might be kinder to him from the start if the former Tottenham coach gets on board.

FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking said at the time: "He showed at Middlesbrough that he's innovative and committed to bringing through talented young English players and giving them their chance at the top level."