SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[JUAN PABLO]

 
Arsenal are pushing Samir Nasri to make a quick decision on his future after Stewart Downing revealed he is open to leaving Aston Villa.

 In demand: Downing  has been watched by Arsenal and Liverpool and is set to leave Villa Park this summer
Arsene Wenger has identified the England winger as a potential replacement for Nasri if he leaves this summer. 

 On the move? Nasri has failed to commit to a new deal with the Gunners
And Downing put the Gunners on red alert on Thursday after saying: 'I know Villa are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal.

'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.
'The most important thing is to play football, but I do want to play in the Champions League at some point.'

Downing knows he can fulfil his ambitions of playing in Europe's top club competition with Arsenal and Sportsmail understands that the former Middlesbrough man is aware of the Gunners' interest.

But with Liverpool also in the hunt, the North London club know they cannot wait too long before making their move for Downing. 

Nasri has been offered a five-year deal in the region of £90,000-per-week -  but is stalling on signing.

Gunners sources insist the club are confident the France forward will extend his stay at the Emirates. But Wenger does not want the contract stand-off to drag on much longer so that he has enough time to sign a replacement, namely Downing. 

And the Frenchman has instructed the Gunners hierarchy to get a definitive answer from Nasri as quickly as possible.
 More...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1391310/Stewart-Downing-Arsenal-wishlist-Samir-Nasri-snubs-deal.html#ixzz1NV4iDuVa

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

I can see why Downing feels he is 'at a crossroads', he ain't got the bollocks cross the road just as he hasn't got the bollocks to make a tackle on the pitch. If anyone offers 15m for him i'll carry him there myself on my back.

How long on the sidelines getting a fortune when injured? - Fuck him off and quick.

[TimTheVillain]

What part of 'I don't want to play for Houllier' do you lot not understand ?

[ozzjim]

Where does he say that Tim?

What part of Bent says he does so much?

[Mr Diggles]

To be fair to Downing after the season we've had and the feeling that the club has been drifting from the loftier potential of 2009-10 until now (in that we were challenging seriously for top 4 but since the heskey signing its kind of not really happened), its hardly surprising if his agent has been in his ear, telling him he's had low key approaches from big clubs, that he's just been the best player in a poor team and they are holding him back. Its not a slant to the story I'd necessarily agree with, but I can see how an agent can portray that reality.

This is going to happen, to every club, forever, at least until modern football and the money in the game eats itself. Its unfortunate but not exactly surprising. And part of the reason I refuse to give my money to the sport in the form of a season ticket next year.

[*shellac*]

Chop him into two or three pieces and sell him to Wenger, Dalglish and Redknapp.

Crossroads, my arse.  Why don't you try cross-dressing, Stewart?

[UsualSuspect]

Downing has been watched by Arsenal? My fucking arse

let's put him in the shop window and see exactly who comes in for him apart from Liverpool

[sfx412]

You'd think after Barry then Milners exit Villa fans would get the message. Last seasons shenanigins can't be helping much either so why are so many so surprised our best players are both wanted and expected to leave.
The silence at the top is deafening, no statements, no plans, no decisions even General K says little and very rarely, I wonder what is going on.

[john e]

can you imagine losing Nasri and getting Downing as his replacement, ha ha,

[UsualSuspect]

can you imagine losing Nasri and getting Downing as his replacement, ha ha,

Exactly!

[MoetVillan]

worryingly yes.  Plus Downing tracks back and tackles better than Nasri

[Mr Diggles]

That must be a damning indictment of Nasri's defensive capabilities then.

[richard moore]

worryingly yes.  Plus Downing tracks back and tackles better than Nasri

Does that mean Nasri never even gets back into his own half then? I never ever thought I would hear the words 'Downing' and 'tackles better' in the same sentence

[mrfuse]

I not sure why everyone hates downing, thought he was our best player by far this season. To be honest im fed up of the quote downing cant tackle i dont care that he cant tackle carlos cuellar cant pass or cross and I dont care about that either.

I can just about take the fact Ash is going but it be a big loss Downing going as well if we had a proper manager in their he would persuade downing to stay!

[Rigadon]

Hmm.  Villa need to act quickly so this doesn't end up being yet another saga.  I like Downing, he's a good player and has been consistent this season.  But, after this season I'm struggling to shed a tear over any of our 'stars' leaving.  Sell now or have him silenced until this time next year.  One way or another I cannot be bothered reading about it all summer.

Paul Faulkner must be feeling a little redundant at the moment seeing as the national media seem to be doing his job for him.  Why, they've been trying to sell Downing and Young to LIverpool and Manchester United respectively for almost 6 months now.  Good old 'King Kenny' and 'Sir Alex' can't, and will not be denied y'know.  It's the natural order of things.

I guess we could just say, "I'm considering buying a season ticket, but I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life and, at my age, want to see if any other clubs want my support for their possible champions league campaign in 2013."