Stewart Downing has told Middlesbrough fans he is focusing on the new season and not being distracted by ongoing transfer rumours.Downing signed a new five-year contract at the Riverside in February and says he has no intentions of leaving the club at this moment in time and the transfer talk is not unsettling him in the slightest. However he did admit that a move away could be on the cards at some stage of his career.
He told the Gazette: "It is unsettling when you are younger, definitely. Obviously if there are big clubs interested in you it is flattering and sometimes you are tempted. But at the moment I'm focused on doing my best for Middlesbrough."
He added: "My mates are big Boro fans and they obviously want me to be at Middlesbrough for all my career, and if we become a top team, a Champions League team, then there would be no question about going.
"But if we don't eventually make that step, then one day I might have to make that decision. It's an important couple of years for me.
"It might be good one day to do that, maybe move on and try something different, I think every player likes to try something new in their career and I'm no different.
"There are hardly any players now who stay at just one club throughout their career.
"That might happen one day, and if it does I hope the fans will understand.
"They're bound to be disappointed if one of the local lads leaves, and if he's an important player some won't forgive you at all.
"Personally I think I've always given everything, I've played through injuries before, I'm always available to play and I don't think anybody could accuse me of not giving my all for the club.
"But at the minute we've got a big season ahead of us and I just want to concentrate on what I can do for Middlesbrough."
