Middlesbrough reportedly face a real battle to hang onto star winger Stewart Downing during the January transfer window.

Spurs have been long-term admirers of the England wide man, and speculation is now linking them with a fresh bid.

Meanwhile Everton have already publicly admitted that they'd love to take Downing to Goodison Park.

But Boro chief executive Keith Lamb says the club are desperate to hang onto one of their star performers.

He told the Evening Gazette: "We have had absolutely no contact from Tottenham or any other club about Stewart."

Boro are expected to land a top-class striker during the January window, with Heerenveen ace Afonso Alves tipped to arrive in a £14million deal.

But the Gazette claims Boro boss Gareth Southgate wouldn't need to sell Downing in order to fund any big-money deals.

Downing's Riverside deal has more than two years to run, but talks have so far failed to produce a contract extension.