Downing rejects new Aston Villa deal as Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC keen

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Stewart Downing (credit: Marion O)

Arsenal and Liverpool have been put on alert after Stewart Downing rejected a new deal at Aston Villa

The Midlands club are keen to tie the £10million-rated winger down to a new long-term deal despite him having two years remaining on his current contract.

But Downing has rejected a new deal at Villa Park and a summer move could now be on the cards.

"I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal and that my agent had a recent meeting with our chief executive (Paul Faulkner)," Downing confirmed.

"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."

Arsenal could be seen as favourites to land the former Middlesbrough winger after he admitted he wants to play in the Champions League.

"I want to keep playing and enjoying my football," he told the Northern Echo.

"When I was injured that made me realise what it can be like to be out for such a long time. It hurt. The most important thing is to play football, but I do want to play in the Champions League at some point.

"The most important thing for me, though, is to stay fit and then the rewards will come with that, hopefully. I have got back into the England squad, I have to make sure I stay there.

"It was horrible to miss the World Cup last year, but I was not the only one. Looking back it was probably because I was injured for much of that season that I never made it."

Liverpool are believed to be keen on signing at least one winger over the summer as they look for some additional width in midfield to help provide ammunition for striker Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez next season.

The Merseysiders have also been linked with Downing's Villa and England team-mate Ashley Young, who is also expected to leave the club this summer with Manchester United also interested.

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