Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has said he is excited by the new competition for places at Anfield, amid speculation linking him with a move to West Ham.
Reports over the last few days have suggested that Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is prepared to match Liverpool’s asking price of £8million for Downing, to provide support for striker Andy Carroll at Upton Park.
However, speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Downing was upbeat about the future at Anfield and welcomed the club’s new signings.
The Reds have had a busy early summer in the transfer market.
Despite missing out on their priority signing of Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Brendan Rodgers has added defender Kolo Toure, attackers Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, and goalkeeper Simon Mingolet to his squad.
Downing, who made 29 league appearances for the Reds last season, said, “At every club, you need at least two or three players in every position to keep people on their toes, but especially at a club like this.
“We’re fighting on many fronts – cup competitions and the league – so you have to be strong in every department. But competition brings the best out of players, and hopefully it will in me.
“My targets will be similar to when I got back into the team [last season] – enjoy it, work hard and play some good football like we did at the end of last season.
“If we play like that again as a team, we’ve got a real chance [of success]. For me personally, I’ve just got to keep going.”
However, the 28-year old former Middlesbrough man is on relatively high wages at the club and with Liverpool looking to make the club cost efficient, he may not have much say in his future on Merseyside.
ESPN reported yesterday:
West Ham are weighing up a move for Liverpool winger Stewart Downing, a source has told ESPN.
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